Titanohyrax (SciiFii)

The colossal hyrax (Titanohyrax africanus) is a species of mammal belonging to the hyrax family that originally lived in Africa as an extinct species of Titanohyrax during the Early Eocene to Early Oligocene, around 50–30 million years ago, and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced to the modern forests, open woodlands, grasslands, and mountains of Africa to help boost biodiversity. The colossal hyrax is the largest of all known "natural" hyracoids known, with the body mass ranging from 600 to 1300 kilograms (1,322-2,866 lbs), with the largest specimens weighing 1.3 tons. It is a cursorial species and a browser, feeding primarily on leaves, pine needles, shrubs, fruits, twigs, bark, and mosses. As with many other hyraxes, the colossal hyrax is a social animal that lives in small herds consisting of up to around 25 individuals at a time, led by a dominant male with the slightly larger tusk-like teeth. These canine teeth are primarily user for defense against any potential predators such as lions, but they are also used during the mating season, when males use them to attempt to win a right to mate with the herd's females. Females first give birth at five years of age, after a gestation period of 11.5 months. Newborn calves remain hidden in vegetation for the first few weeks while being nursed occasionally by the mother before joining the main herd. Older calves are held in the centre of the herd for safety. The maternal bond between mother and calf lasts longer than in many other hyraxes. That bonding ends when a new calf is born, and the mother then keeps her previous offspring at bay with teeth jabs. Nevertheless, the yearling follows its mother for another year or so. Males leave their mothers when they are two years old and join the bachelor groups. The conservation status of the colossal hyrax is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the colossal hyrax's wide range.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii