TYLER, Texas — What is a hyrax?
This small, fluffy mammal is one of the closest living relatives of the elephant. Hard to believe that something so small is related to such a large creature!
"A long, long time ago, they had one common ancestor in it split up into two different groups," said Dallas Goodwin, keeper of reptiles. "One made themselves into elephants, and the other made themselves into hyrax."
The modern-day hyrax even sports two small tusks, which are hidden under their upper lip. Just like those of an elephant, the hyrax's tusks continuously grow through their life.
Three of these sweet creatures made their home at the Caldwell Zoo. Radish, the friendliest of the three, may only stand less than two feet tall, but her personality is triple her size.
"Radish was raised a lot around people and to be an ambassador animal," said Goodwin. "She kind of thinks that her community is us."
She can often be found napping in her habitat or lounging on her heated rocks.
For more behind-the-scenes zoo content, watch CBS19 on Fridays during Morning Y'all for the weekly segment, Exploring the Caldwell Zoo.
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