Hyraxes

Hyraxes are small, furry, hoofed mammals found in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. They are generally considered to be the closest living relatives of elephants and are the only surviving species in the once diverse order Hyracoidea. They play an important role in their African and Arabian ecosystems, where they are important prey species for a variety of large carnivores, and provide essential seed dispersal services. They are also a common sight in parks and gardens, where they are taken in as pets and can be quite entertaining to watch. In addition, their valuable fur and teeth are used as part of the trade in traditional handcrafts.