Rock Hyrax triplets born at Chester Zoo

Three baby rock hyraxes have made their public debuts at the zoo.

The pocket-sized pups, which are yet to be named or sexed, arrived to mum Daissie and dad Nungu last month, weighing the equivalent of a bar of soap.

They may be short in stature but these tiny animals have a surprising genetic link – they are more closely related to the elephant than any other species on Earth, after evolving from a single common ancestor.

Rock hyraxes’ two large incisor teeth constantly grow like tiny tusks, just like an elephant, while the two species also have similar shaped feet and skull structure.

Small mammals often experience a short pregnancy period, but rock hyraxes are different, with their pregnancy lasting more than seven months. The species’ young are well developed when born, just like miniature adults.

David White, Team Manager of small mammals at Chester Zoo said: “Rock hyraxes have helped conservationists learn so much about the evolution of different animals, and how animals can evolve and adapt to the environments where they live – they really are special little creatures.

“Hyraxes are known for spending a large majority of their time lying out and basking in the sun, so mum Daissie and dad Nungu have certainly been run off their feet keeping up with these three little ones.”

The young arrivals come as the zoo celebrates being named the second most popular paid-for attraction in England. It attracted 1.9 million visitors in a year – second only to the Tower of London.