MADISON, Wis. — The Henry Vilas Zoo introduced two new residents on Friday. Frenchie and Rizzo, both female rock hyraxes, come to Madison from the San Antonio Zoological Gardens and Aquarium.
According to the zoo, rock hyraxes are native to Africa and parts of the Middle East. They are about the size of a rabbit, however their closest living relatives are elephants and manatees.
The little mammals have upper incisors that grow constantly throughout their lives that look like tusks. They can retract part of their feet to create a suction cup-like effect, allowing them to climb up steep rocks and trees.
“When they move, they are fast, but they spend a large part of their day resting so they can be easy to miss,” zoo executive director Ronda Schwetz said. “We often see them lounging in the highest spaces of their habitat.”
Rock hyraxes have a three-chambered stomach, allowing them to eat plants that might be poisonous to other animals. They are mostly herbivores, but in the wild have been known to eat insects and grubs.