Habits: The rock hyrax lives in family groups, or colonies, with a dominant male and several adult females presiding over their young. Juvenile males live on the edges of the family’s territory, which is defended by the adult male. Families live in rock crevices, where they take shelter and sleep. On especially cold nights the animals huddle together for warmth. In the morning the family basks in the sun, until one of the adults goes off to eat and is followed by the others. The dominant male keeps watch while the others feed. If a predator appears, he utters a warning cry that sends the whole group back into the rocks.

Hyraxes use the same place for urinating and defecating. The urine leaves white crystalline deposits on the rocks. The crystalline deposits as well as the feces were used by South African tribes to make perfume and medicine in the past. The sticky soles of the rock hyrax’s feet make perching on rocks easy. When threatened, the hyrax bares its sharp incisors to warn off the intruder.

Food and Feeding: The rock hyrax feeds mainly on tree leaves, but it also eats grasses and young shoots of plants and shrubs. Like many other mammals that eat tough vegetation, the rock hyrax has microorganisms in its stomach that help break down food and make it easier to digest. The hyrax has stronger incisor teeth, but it uses them for defense rather than for feeding. When it eats, the hyrax turns its head sideways and uses its cheek teeth to bite off the grass and leaves.

Breeding: The rock hyrax has a very long period of gestation (pregnancy) for such a small animal – seven to eight months. A litter usually contains two or three young. The youngsters are suckled by the mother, who has two nipples at her shoulder and four around her crotch. Each youngster has its own nipple and may not drink from any other. In six months the young are weaned, but they remain in the family until they reach sexual maturity at about 16 months. The males then wander off to establish new family colonies or to form bachelor groups. Hyraxes form kindergartens, with one adult looking after a group of youngsters.

The rock hyrax is closely related to the bush hyraxes. They are different species and do not interbreed. But they live in close harmony, even sharing the same sleeping caves. This acceptance of another species is known among no other animals except apes.

Special Adaptations: The rock hyrax is very nimble, with feet that are well developed for life among the rocks. The hyrax can easily climb steep, smooth surfaces because the soles of its feet form suction pads and secrete a sticky liquid. Its hooflike nails also help it grip slippery rocks. The front feet have four toes; the back feet have three. The middle toe of each back foot has a grooming claw.

Key Facts:
Sizes:
Length: 12-23 in.
Height: 8-12 in.
Weight: Male, 9 lb. Female, 8 lb.

Breeding:
Sexual maturity: 16-17 months
Mating: The main pairing season is between February and March.
Gestation: 7-8 months
Litter size: 2-3

Lifestyle:
Habit: Lives in family groups. Active by day, making short feeding trips or sunbathing.
Diet: Mainly leaves from trees and plants, but also grass.
Lifespan: Up to 12 years has been recorded.

Related Species: There are two other genera, each with several species. These are the bush hyraxes and the tree hyraxes.

Distribution: Found from Lebanon southward throughout most of Africa.
Conservation: Despite its slow breeding rate and the constant threat to its habitat, the rock hyrax is surprisingly stable. Certain species of hyrax, however, are threatened because they are hunted for their valuable fur.

Features of the Rock Hyrax:
Teeth: The incisors are used against predators – not for eating. These sharp teeth can inflict a vicious bite.
Eyes: The hyrax has sharp eyesight, and the shape of its eyes is unique. The iris bulges out above the pupil, cutting off light from directly above its head. This enables it to look almost directly into the sun and keep watch for birds of prey.
Scent gland: A narrow, bare scent gland surrounded by hair runs along the back. It is not certain what this gland is used for, but when the animal is frightened or excited the gland erects the fur around it.
Feet: The front feet have 4 toes; the back have 3. The soles are covered with a rubbery pad that secretes a sticky sweat, giving the hyrax an excellent grip as it climbs over the rocks.

Did You Know: 
Hyraxes are very vocal. There are 21 different calls on record, from chattering to screaming.
The rock hyrax is able to eat very poisonous plants without suffering any apparent ill effects.
When little water is available, the rock hyrax can get enough water from its food.
The rock hyrax sometimes shares its territory with the bush hyrax and occasionally with agamid lizards, banded mongoose, or baboons.

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