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The Rock Hyrax can be found
from Senegal in West Africa to Somalia in East Africa, then south
to the Cape, Namibia and southern Angola, and in smaller numbers
in the mountains of Northeast Africa. They can also be found in
the Arabian peninsula. |
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The Rock Hyrax's habitat
consists of rocky cliffs, boulder piles or rock outcroppings (called
"kopje") with openings large enough to shelter the animals. |
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The head and body length
of the Rock Hyrax is 12 to 21 inches. It weighs 8 to 9 pounds.
Its height at the shoulders ranges from 8 to 12 inches and its
color can be anywhere from light to dark brown. Some think its
fur is as soft as the chinchilla's! |
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Rock Hyrax prefer to eat
grass having high crowns and relatively short shoots. They bite
off great mouthfuls using the sides of their mouths and are able
to fill their stomachs quickly. They will also browse on bushes,
trees and succulents, if no suitable grass is available. |
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Amazing as it seems, the
rock hyrax shares fossil ancestors with manatees and elephants.
Yes, this soft, little, furry, rodent-looking creature is a relative
of the elephant! |
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Rock Hyrax are very social
animals and live in groups of up to 60 individuals, led by the
oldest animals. The oldest male is dominant and acts as guardian
for the group. Sometimes as many as 25 will share a single den! |
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Rock Hyrax cannot regulate
their own body temperature very well, so prolonged exposure to
heat or cold could be fatal! |
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The soles of the feet of
the Rock Hyrax are moist and rubberlike, which gives the animals
traction on smooth surfaces and steep slopes! |
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The Rock Hyrax has 21 different
adult vocalizations for communicating information effectively. |
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Mom and Babies |
The gestation period for the Rock
Hyrax is 210 to 240 days. Babies are born fully furred,
with eyes and ears open and move about with the mother on
the second day. They begin to eat food at 2 weeks and continue
to nurse from 2 to 5 months. |
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