Hyrax, Rock

Common Name

Hyrax, Rock

Scientific Name

Procavia capensis

Habitat

As their name suggests, they rarely live outside of rock crevices in outcroppings. Occasionally they will use abandoned burrows from animals such as aardvarks and meerkats.

Status

Population Management Plan, Least concern

Diet

Eats a wide range of small plants. New shoots and fruits are their favoured food, but the greater part of their diet is composed of grasses.

Zoo Location

African Savannah

Range

Africa and the Middle East

Physical Description

Length: 30 - 60 cm (12 - 24 in)

Height: 20 - 30 cm (8 - 12 in)

Weight:
Male: 4.0 kg (8.8 lb)
Female: 3.5 kg (7.7 lb)

Description

Though it superficially resembles a rodent, hyraxes aren't even close relatives. They have elongated tusk-like incisors that are used in cropping food and for defence, and their feet are somewhat digitigrade (meaning they walk on their tip-toes). These features are shared with their true close relatives the elephants (although both groups are more closely related to manatees and dugongs than each other). Their feet also have spongy pads kept moist by a sweaty secretion that act as suction cups for moving around rocks.

Behaviour

Hyraxes live in large groups of up to 80 individuals, which can be further divided into subgroups led by one dominant male. They spend the majority of their time basking in the sun as their internal temperature can fluctuate with external sources.

Threats

Hyrax are occasionally hunted for food and fur, but are otherwise not threatened.