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:
-
Classical music takes center stage
-
Midwinter freeze
-
Swimming with the sea cows
-
Umschreibung by Olafur Eliasson in Munich
-
Galeries Lafayette, Paris
-
Dubrovnik, Croatia
-
Dalmatian pelicans, Lake Kerkini, Greece
-
Seattle Central Library, Seattle, Washington
-
A day for the oceans
-
Zion National Park Turns 100
-
A bridge too Fawr
-
Sea Slug Day
-
Taiwan yuhinas in Alishan National Scenic Area
-
Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
-
Infant Sumatran orangutan, Indonesia
-
A gentle wind fills this sail
-
American bison, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
-
Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California
-
World Environment Day
-
Here’s looking at you, teachers
-
Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
-
Ice and Snow Sailing World Championships
-
Gray seal sleeping on the beach, Orkney Islands, Scotland
-
Big Bend National Park in Texas turns 81
-
Cross this bridge if you dare
-
A dying breed of tree thrives in an American park
-
A rest stop for the birds
-
An ancient sailing tradition takes to the water
-
National Park Week: Yosemite National Park, California
-
Red-necked grebes during breeding season
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

