They have a dorsal gland surrounded by light colored hair that stiffen when the animal gets excited. Contemporary hyraxes retain primitive features. Most notably is an inefficient feeding mechanism that involves cropping with the molars instead of the incisors like techniques used by modern hoofed mammals. A poor regulation of body temperature and short feet are also primitive features. Today hyraxes are confined to Africa and the Middle East.
Hyraxes feed on a wide variety of plants, grasses, fruits and berries.
Their gut is complex, with three separate areas of microbial digestion. They do not ruminate. They have a high capacity for concentrating urea and electrolytes and excrete large amounts of CaCO3. Hyraxes have a poor ability to regulate body temperature and a low metabolic rate. Body temperatures are controlled by gregarious huddling, periods of inactivity and activity, and basking in the sun.