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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Celebrating Bike to Work Week, May 14-18
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Cinco de Mayo
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Christmas comes to New York City
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Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
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A day of service for Dr. King
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International Nurses Day
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Notes from an underground lake
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Smoking nights in Austria
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Time for brass bands and beer
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Happy Mother s Day
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Ocean City, Maryland, at sunrise
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Great horned owl
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What s going on in this sky?
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Does it swim in slow motion too?
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The Bahamas as seen from the ISS
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Muskoxen in Dovre-Sunndalsfjella National Park, Norway
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Dog days of summer
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All Rhodes lead to the beach
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Bobbio, Italy
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Jerte Valley in bloom
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Canada s $20 view
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Halfway Day
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Join the parade for World Elephant Day
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Happy Independence Day!
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Why’s it called a spelling ‘bee,’ anyhow?
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The Blue City of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
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Storks ready for takeoff
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International Whale Shark Day
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Sanxiantai Dragon Bridge in Taitung, Taiwan
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Two rocks and a heart spot
Bing Wallpaper Gallery


