ETYM New Lat., from Greek hyrax shrew mouse.
Any of several small ungulate mammals of Africa and Asia with rodent-like incisors and feet with hooflike toes; SYN. coney, cony, dassie, das.
Shrew.
Small mammal, forming the order Hyracoidea, that lives among rocks, in deserts, and in forests in Africa, Arabia, and Syria. It is about the size of a rabbit, with a plump body, short legs, short ears, brownish fur, and long, curved front teeth.
There are four toes on the front limbs, and three on the hind, each of which has a tiny hoof. There are nine species. They are related to elephants.