The family Procaviidae, commonly known as hyraxes, belongs to the order Hyracoidea. Hyraxes are small, herbivorous mammals native to Africa and the Middle East, typically inhabiting rocky outcrops, cliffs, and savannas. Despite their rodent-like appearance, they are more closely related to elephants and manatees. Members of this family have short, rounded bodies, padded feet adapted for climbing, and specialized teeth for browsing on leaves, bark, and grasses. They are social animals, often living in colonies, and use vocalizations and scent marking to communicate. Hyraxes play an important ecological role as prey for larger predators and as seed dispersers in their habitats.