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Rock Hyrax
Procavia capensis

The Rock Hyrax is a very amazing and unique animal. This rodent-like creature's closests relatives are actually elephants. It is so special, it has its own order.

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Table of Contents


Quick Facts
What is a Hyrax?
The Behavior of the Rock Hyrax
Enemies and Defense
A Rock Hyrax is Born
Strange and Interesting Facts
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Quick Facts


Scientific Name: Procavia capensis
Order: Hyracoidea
Body Length: 12-21 inches
Height(at shoulder): 8-12"
Weight: 8-9 lbs.
Color: Light to dark brown
Range: Africa to South-west Asia Habitat: Rocky terrain in the savanna

What is a Hyrax?

A hyrax is a brownish gray mammal that is rabbit-sized and resembles a guinea pig. It has a dense cost and a cream colored belly. There is a white spot of hair on is back covering a gland. This animal is twelve to twenty-two inches long and weighs four to eleven pounds.
The hyrax has short ears, short legs, a short tail and a pointed head. Its nails are long and curved with flat ends and resemble hooves. There are four toes on the front feet and three on the back feet. The upper teeth are triangular and overgrowing. The hyrax lives in rocky terrain in the savannas of Africa and parts of southwest Asia.

The Behavior of the Rock Hyrax


The rock hyrax lives in colonies of about fifty individuals. Their usual daily pattern is to come out of their dens at dawn to sun themselves together on a rock, grooming and stretching. Then they feed for about and hour on grasses, leaves, or sometimes buds, stems, or fruit. They are herbivores and drink little water.
When they are done, which is about and hour before noon, they rest in the shade for about five hours. Next they feed for about two hours. They stay close to the rocky crevices where they live and travel as far as fifty five yards from their dens in search of food.
They spend a lot of time sunning themselves, and are very noisy and chittery. The rock hyraxes are timid and shy but can be aggressive. They are excellent rock climbers.

Enemies and Defense


The rock hyrax’s enemies are leopards, snakes, birds, of prey and smaller predators like the mongoose. Their main defense is being able to seek shelter quickly in rock crevices. They give a shrill cry to warn others if an enemy is near. If they are scared they will run for safety in some rocks. When bothered, this animal will bite what bothers it. They are alert for danger on a moonlit night.

A Rock Hyrax is Born


The female gives birth to two to four babies after six to seven months of gestation. The young are fully developed at birth and can run around soon after they are born. They can eat solid food in about three days. After ten weeks the babies are weaned and can reproduce by two years.

Strange and Interesting Facts


The hyrax is very strange and interesting, with some surprising relatives. Believe it or not, this rabbit sized animal is closely related to elephants and hoofed animals. Its anatomy is like and elephant and a horse. The brain of the animal is like the elephant’s and the stomach is like the horse’s. Its skeleton resembles that of a rhinoceros. The upper incisors resemble rodents’ teeth; the upper cheek teeth are like the rhino’s and the lover cheek teeth resemble the hippo’s.
The hyrax’s padded soles of its feet have a flap of shin that can be pulled up to make a suction cup. This offers help in climbing rocks. Its hind feet resemble a capybara and tapir. The hyrax has the characteristics of may different animals.





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