Elephants

[Spalea]

Daniel Rosengren: " Did you know that these two animals are quite closely related? The little thing in front is a Hyrax and it is the closest now living relative to the elephants among land mammals. Only manatees and dugongs are more closely related to elephants. Apart from their DNA there are several anatomical similarities, though you might not note them at first glance. For example, like elephants, the hyraxes have nails on their feet rather than claws, their small tusks are formed by the incisors (not canines as in most other mammals with tusks), their testicles are hidden in their abdominal cavity and their teats are between the front legs.

Other now living relatives to the elephants are (all in the clade Afrotheria) aardvarks, elephant shrews, golden moles, otter shrews and tenrecs.
Photographed in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. "

I have been knowing that for very very long time (70's...), but it still seems incredible for me... Reply