 Dassie or Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis)
Description. The dassie or cape
hyrax is a brownish gray, rabbit-sized mammal, resembling a guinea pig.
It has a dense coat with a cream colored belly. There is a white spot
of hair on its back, covering a gland. 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.
Size. Male hyraxes are slightly
larger than females (4kg vs 3.6kg). Total length is approx. 475-585mm
Habitat. Cape hyraxes live in
crevices and cavities in rock outcroppings. They do not burrow, but
they will inhabit burrows of other animals including those of aardvarks
and meerkats.
Behavior. Hyraxes live in herds of
up to 80 individuals. These herds are subdivided into smaller flocks
consisting of a few families and headed by an adult male. Hyraxes spend
most of their time resting in large huddles or basking alone.
Diet. They are herbivores and drink
little water.
Predators. The rock hyrax’s
predators 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.
Reproduction. Cape hyrax give birth
to two or three young after a 6-7 month gestation period. The young are
well-developed at birth with fully-opened eyes and complete fur. Young
can ingest solid food after two weeks and are weaned at ten weeks.
Young are sexually mature after 16 months, reach adult size at three
years, and typically live about ten years.
On
Wildcliff.
Seen scurrying on rocks near Ena's Falls.
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