# Bush Hyrax (*Heterohyrax brucei*) Bush hyraxes are small, furry animals that look a bit like fluffy rabbits. They love to climb and can often be found resting on rocks in the sun, making them fun to spot! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Rocky areas ![Bush Hyrax](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Heterohyrax_brucei_314801839.jpg&width=800) Photo: Henggang Cui, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Heterohyrax_brucei_314801839.jpg) ## Appearance The Bush Hyrax is a small, stout mammal with dense, greyish-brown fur that is lighter on its belly. It has small, rounded ears and a very short, almost invisible tail. A unique feature is a distinct lighter patch of fur on its back where a scent gland is located, distinguishing it from similar species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Hyracoidea - **Family:** Procaviidae - **Genus:** Heterohyrax ## Interesting facts - Believe it or not, hyraxes are elephants' closest living relatives, despite their size! - Bush Hyraxes can make more than 18 different sounds to talk to each other! - Bush Hyraxes often huddle in huge groups of up to 80 animals to stay warm. - Their big front teeth grow continuously, just like a rodent's, but they aren't rodents! ## Special abilities - **Sticky Feet Power:** Bush Hyrax can climb smooth, steep rocks easily because of special rubbery pads on its feet that create suction, helping them grip. - **Sun-Powered Warmth:** Bush Hyrax can sunbathe and huddle together to manage body temperature because they don't regulate it well internally, which helps them stay warm or cool. - **Ever-Growing Chompers:** Bush Hyrax has sharp incisor teeth that grow continuously because they are used for stripping tough plant material, which helps them access food. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-38 cm - **Weight:** 2-4 kg - **Lifespan:** 8-10 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-3 - **Gestation:** 190-210 days ## Diet & Feeding These furry rock dwellers munch on leaves, grass, fruits, and even tree bark to get their energy. - **Primary Foods:** Leaves, Grass, Fruits, Tree bark, Flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Leopard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard) (*Panthera pardus*) — A major predator, hunting hyraxes amongst rocks and trees. - **Eaten by:** Verreaux's Eagle (*Aquila verreauxii*) — These powerful eagles snatch hyraxes from high above. - **Eaten by:** African Rock Python (*Python sebae*) — Large snakes ambush hyraxes, constricting them for food. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Climbing/Vine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/climbing-vine): Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch from a distance and don't try to touch wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bush Hyrax? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bush Hyrax? 30-38 cm ### How much does Bush Hyrax weigh? 2-4 kg ### How long does Bush Hyrax live? 8-10 years ### How fast can Bush Hyrax move? 20 km/h ### What does Bush Hyrax eat? These furry rock dwellers munch on leaves, grass, fruits, and even tree bark to get their energy. ### Where is Bush Hyrax usually found? Rocky areas ### How does Bush Hyrax hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Naturschutz-Tierpark Görlitz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturschutz-tierpark-g-rlitz) — Saxony, DE · Zoo - [Tiergarten Bernburg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tiergarten-bernburg) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Bush Hyrax: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bush-hyrax)