Israel NOWlej
WLD-02

Rock hyrax

Flora and fauna entry · Wildlife

Part of Wildlife (WLD-00)

Rock hyrax

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Israel NOWlej (2027), WLD-02, p. 164, israelnowlej.com/wld-02

Short address: israelnowlej.com/wld-02

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Rock hyrax A small cousin of the elephant

שפן סלעProcavia capensis

The rock hyrax is a furry, rabbit-sized animal that lives in colonies among the rocks, and it is easy to see at Ein Gedi and in the Judean desert. Despite its look, its closest living relatives are elephants and manatees. Hyraxes sunbathe in groups, with one standing guard and calling out when an eagle or a snake appears. The Bible names the shafan as an animal that makes its home among the rocks, and listed it in its dietary laws.

Glossary: Rock hyrax

Corrections: none recorded. This is the current version. The 2027 print edition copy is at israelnowlej.com/2027/wld-02.