Rock hyrax
Procavia johnstoni
Key identification features
All hyraxes are small, rabbit sized brown animals with short ears, short legs and without a visible tail. On the middle of their back there is a patch of fur concealing a naked spot, a glandular area. The rock hyrax has a blunt snout a paler underside and the colour of the patch of dorsal fur varies in colour from yellow, orange, cream to black. HB 38-60 cm. Wt 1.8-5.5 kg.
Habitat and social behaviour
The rock hyrax lives in colonies of up to 26 animals between the rocks in dry areas. They are mostly active during the day. Bush and rock hyrax sometimes have joint colonies.
Similar species
The bush hyrax is more lightly build then the rock hyrax and has a paler underside and a pale spot above its eyes. The tree hyraxes are nocturnal, they live solitary or in very small groups in trees.
Distribution Map
Historical Distribution Map
References for historical distribution map
Photo gallery
See also
Southern tree hyrax · East African tree hyrax · Bush hyrax · Western tree hyrax