Elephants Relatives?

Even though we may describe some of our family members as being as big as elephants, the hyrax is actually the elephants closest living relative. It is believed the giant hyracoid family evolved in different ways millions of years ago. Some evolved smaller and became the hyrax family, while others started the elephant family.
Hyraxes, like elephants have four toes on each front foot and three on each back foot as well as other similar traits. Today they are broken down into 4 main species. The Southern and Western Hyrax, and then the Yellow-Spotted Rock and Cape Hyrax. They are listed as a vulnerable species due to their forest habitat being cut down for its wood. Some species are very social like elephants and can live in colonies up to of 50 members. Cape hyraxes often make large piles of dung and urine that eventually turn into hyraceum which has been used by locals as a medicine for treating epilepsy, convulsions, among other disorders. They are also hunted for their skin and as a food source.
Some groups that protect the land that is home to wildlife like the hyrax:
African Wildlife Foundation
http://www.awf.org
Conservation International
http://www.conservation.org
Wildlife Direct
http://wildlifedirect.org/

Thanks for watching, and be sure to subscribe to my videos, which help me raise funds for wildlife conservation.
-Brian
*dedicated to Vinney Hyrax

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[guardaddict714]

why isnt the rhino the closest? dont they have more similar trait?

[briczar22]

Rhino has always thought to be close to the horse. The elephant has a very similar bone structure to the hyrax. It is more about that than the actual size. Also about how the stomache operates and how the organs are laid out.

[1MisterAaron]

@briczar22 what's Hyrax name mean?

[briczar22]

@1MisterAaron not sure?

[1MisterAaron]

@briczar22 do you think Servel eats Hyrax?

[briczar22]

@1MisterAaron I would think if they had the chance to get one, they might go for it.

[SnowLeopardQueen]

That's amazing!

Another very imformative video, Brian!

Happy New year~

[NaturesBeatingHearts]

It's very interesting. As usual, you bring interesting facts about animals to us in the video and in the description as well. Wow, they are related, kind of strange.

Thank you for the information, Brian.

[NasserHamedi]

I told my friend these are relatives and they started to laugh at me :)

[lastsaracen]

Is it true that medicine for epilepsy can be produced from Rock Hyrax dung?

[Megahammerheadshark]

The elephant is also related to the manatee.

[al119280]

good vid,

but seriously, we don't know any other animals in the universe so why be so spsecific as to say the elephant is the largest known land mamal in the universe?

[1MisterAaron]

@briczar22 leopards are too big for Hyrax

[panda374]

@IHyRaXI what is a jackalope?

[1MisterAaron]

@briczar22 how old are you?