Meet Russ, Spud and Jackie: Three tiny rock hyrax pups born at Chester Zoo
The trio may be small, but these adorable new arrivals share an unexpected evolutionary connection with one of the world's largest land mammals.
Three rock hyrax pups have been born at Chester Zoo - tiny, potato-shaped animals with a surprising connection to some of the biggest animals on the planet.
Born to parents Maris and Albert in late summer, the three pups have just passed their first vet check with a clean bill of health. The litter includes two boys and one girl, and the pups have been named Russ, Spud and Jackie.
They now weigh roughly 350g and are currently a fraction of the size of the adults, which can weigh up to 4kg. Yet despite their small stature, they have an unlikely relative.
A surprising family connection
They are sometimes known as 'rock rabbits' or 'rock badgers', but rock hyraxes are part of the same evolutionary group as elephants, as well as sirenians, the family of aquatic mammals that includes dugongs and manatees.
Megan Carpenter, Keeper at Chester Zoo, said:
“People are always surprised when we tell them that hyraxes are closely related to elephants.
“They look completely different, but there are some clues to their unusual family history. Their long front teeth, for example, are a little bit like miniature elephant tusks, and their feet have some resemblance to elephant feet, with flattened hoof-like nails.
“It’s incredible to look at one of these tiny pups and know that somewhere in their family tree is an elephant.”
Life as a rock hyrax
Hyraxes are found across sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, where they live among rocky landscapes and are most active in daylight.
Megan said:
"Their fur colouring and rounded shape gives helps them blend in with rocks. Hyraxes are one of those species that you have to look for, but once you’ve seen them, they are fascinating to watch."
"The pups are little chaos potatoes. They are much more energetic than their parents and sometimes get the zoomies, darting about and testing their climbing and parkour skills."
Megan Carpenter, Keeper at Chester Zoo
She continued:
"In contrast, the adults often wedge themselves into corners and grip on to steep rock faces for hours at a time. They’re incredibly well adapted to living among rocks and are much better climbers than you might expect."
Understanding animal evolution
The unexpected relationship between hyraxes, elephants and dugongs offers a fascinating introduction to taxonomy, the science of how species are related and classified.
Lyndon Howson, Assistant Team Manager in Visitor Engagement, said:
"It’s incredible to think these little animals are so closely related to elephants and manatees. They’re a brilliant example of how misleading appearances can be when it comes to evolution.
"That’s what makes species like hyraxes so interesting - they challenge what we think we know about the natural world and show just how surprising animal evolution can be."
Visitors can now spot Russ, Spud and Jackie in their habitat, where they're beginning to explore their surroundings and put their growing climbing skills to the test.
