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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In the Navajo Nation for Code Talkers Day
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Birds of the Drömling
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World Poetry Day
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Traveling warblers
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Colle Santa Lucia, Dolomites, Italy
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Australian baobab tree, Kimberley region, Western Australia
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A bite of ancient history
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These laurels are hardy
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Old Town of Rovinj, Croatia
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Holey moley–it’s National Doughnut Day!
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A reflection of Europe s past
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A tale of almonds and bees
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A snuggling ball of cute
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Does this shark have an Irish accent?
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Find a Rainbow Day
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Honoring the first American woman in space
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Monet still makes an impression
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Oktoberfest
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A place fit for the gods
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Albion Falls, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Monarch butterflies migrate south
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Sandhill cranes, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
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In the Most Serene Republic
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Ronda, Spain
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Cosplay strongly encouraged
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Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
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What the hay?
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Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil
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Mod gear
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North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany