In honor of the UN’s International Day of Families, we present the hyrax–a species with a rather surprising family tree. These furry mammals are often mistaken for rodents, but they’re more closely related to the elephant and manatee. Hyraxes even sport tusk-like incisors like their elephant cousins. To stay warm, they spend much of their time sunbathing, an activity which makes them vulnerable to predators. But even hyrax families look out for one another—and a male hyrax will stand guard to watch for potential threats.
Celebrating the UN’s International Day of Families
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Museum Mile Festival
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A different kind of dive
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New Year’s Day in the land of the rising sun
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50 years of Earth Day
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Wedded Rocks, Japan
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Corjuem Fort in Goa, India
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The Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic
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National Park Week: Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
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East River crossing
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Festivus
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Happy 800th, Salisbury Cathedral
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National Mushroom Month
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3, 2, 1 … Happy New Year!
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Killer whales in Spildra, Norway
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Float on
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The Crown of the Continent
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Looking back on 150 years of rail travel
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Salt ponds of Maras, Peru
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Come out of your shell for World Turtle Day
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Chapel of St. Michel on Lake Serre-Ponçon, Hautes-Alpes, France
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‘You should see the one that got away!’
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Construction workers resting above Manhattan
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A bridge that rocks
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Patriot Day
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Ministry of Fun Santa School
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50 years of World Heritage Sites
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Big wheels on a big mountain
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World Children s Day
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Sundance Film Festival opens in Park City
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Surf s up—Down Under