Three adorable baby rock hyraxes are charming both visitors and staff at a zoo located in northern England. -
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Animals
During their initial public appearance, the female and two male pups, named Russ, Spud, and Jackie, stayed close to their mother but soon began exploring their habitat at Chester Zoo.
The team at Chester Zoo mentions that their resemblance to 'spuds' inspired their potato-related names.
At 6 weeks old, the pups currently weigh around 350 grams.
They've started interacting with guests after passing their health assessments.
Lyndon Howson, Assistant Team Manager at Chester Zoo, notes that they have quickly become a source of delight for visitors.
"Many guests display great excitement upon spotting them for the first time. When looking in their enclosure, people often envision a large mammal, and upon seeing the adult rock hyrax, they might wonder if that's the baby. Then we point out the little pups peeking out, and witnessing the visitors' joy is truly special," explains Howson.
Guests are also uncovering an interesting fact: rock hyraxes share a lineage with both elephants, the largest land mammals, and manatees.
If you observe closely, you'll notice their toes, and according to Howson, their teeth develop similarly to tusks.
"They belong to the same evolutionary lineage as elephants and sirenians, which are aquatic mammals akin to dugongs and manatees. A fascinating aspect of rock hyraxes is that just like elephants whose tusks continue to grow, the front incisors of rock hyraxes also keep growing throughout their lives, showcasing a shared trait from their common ancestry," Howson remarks.
He adds that breeding rock hyraxes in zoos is not common, and they have a lengthy gestation for their size. As per the African Wildlife Foundation, a hyrax's pregnancy lasts approximately 7 to 8 months.
According to Howson, these animals thrive in the wild: "Rock hyraxes have uniquely adapted to life among boulders and in small crevices on cliff sides, which allows them to survive and thrive in their habitats."
Zoo personnel are eager for future family gatherings with their parents, Maris and Albert, leading the way.
Howson shares: "When it comes to housing and breeding, some organizations may not prioritize breeding this species. However, we are fortunate. We aimed to breed them successfully because rock hyraxes are highly social creatures and can form large groups of up to 26 individuals. It will be wonderful to see this family unit grow over time."
