# Rock Hyrax (*Procavia capensis*) Rock hyraxes are small, furry animals that look a bit like fluffy guinea pigs! They love to live on rocky cliffs and can often be seen basking in the sun with their friends. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Mountain regions - **Also known as:** Cape Hyrax, Rock Dassie ![Rock Hyrax](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cape_Dassie.jpg&width=800) Photo: Andrawaag, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cape_Dassie.jpg) ## Appearance The Rock Hyrax is a small, stout mammal with a rabbit-like appearance but no visible tail. It has dense, brownish-grey fur, small rounded ears, and a blunt snout. Its feet feature soft, padded soles that provide excellent grip on rocky surfaces. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Hyracoidea - **Family:** Procaviidae - **Genus:** Procavia ## Interesting facts - Despite their size, hyraxes are closely related to elephants and manatees! - Hyraxes have a 'thermostat' spot on their back that helps them feel the sun's warmth. - These social animals often huddle together for warmth and safety on cold nights. - They have special teeth that grow constantly, just like rodents, for munching tough plants. ## Special abilities - **Sticky Climber:** Rock Hyrax has specialized padded feet that secrete a sticky fluid, helping them cling securely to steep, rocky cliffs. - **Nature's Solar Panel:** Rock Hyrax can sunbathe in groups to warm up their bodies because they cannot regulate their temperature well on their own. - **Super Communicator:** Rock Hyrax can use a wide range of calls, including loud shrieks, that help them warn others of danger or claim territory. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-50 cm - **Weight:** 2-5 kg - **Lifespan:** 9-14 years - **Speed:** 30 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-6 - **Gestation:** 200-240 days ## Diet & Feeding These herbivores munch on a variety of plants, from grasses and leaves to fruits and bark! - **Primary Foods:** grasses, leaves, fruits, bark, flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Verreaux's Eagle (*Aquila verreauxii*) — a primary aerial predator - **Eaten by:** [Leopard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard) (*Panthera pardus*) — a powerful ground predator - **Eaten by:** African Rock Python (*Python sebae*) — large snakes hunt young hyraxes ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [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. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [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 observe wild animals from a distance and never try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Rock 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 Rock Hyrax? 30-50 cm ### How much does Rock Hyrax weigh? 2-5 kg ### How long does Rock Hyrax live? 9-14 years ### How fast can Rock Hyrax move? 30 km/h ### What does Rock Hyrax eat? These herbivores munch on a variety of plants, from grasses and leaves to fruits and bark! ### Where is Rock Hyrax usually found? Mountain regions ### How does Rock Hyrax hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Tierpark Hamm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-hamm) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo - [Tierpark Chemnitz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-chemnitz) — Sachsen, DE · Zoo - [Tiergarten Mönchengladbach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tiergarten-monchengladbach) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo [View all places to see Rock Hyrax](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/rock-hyrax) ## 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: [Rock Hyrax: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rock-hyrax)