Rock Hyrax or Dassie: Procavia johnsoni
and Bush Hyrax or Yellow-Spotted Dassie: Heterohyrax brucei
Characteristics
Weight and Height
Rock hyrax: wt 4-12 lb (1.8-5.4 kg), hbl 16-23 in (39.5-58 cm)
Bush hyrax: wt 3-5.3 lb (1.3-2.4 kg), hbl 13-19 in (32.5-47 cm)
Color
The rock hyrax is yellow-brown with light underparts and coarse fur. The bush hyrax is gray or gray-brown with white underparts and soft fur.
General Locations
The rock hyrax live in rocks all over Africa, except for the Lowland Rainforest. The bush hyrax however, inhabits Southern Savanna and arid zones of Namibia, Somali-Masai and between the Nile and the Red Sea. The rock hyrax has been very successful in South Africa due to a rapid decrease of predators.
The rock and bush hyrax can be found in almost all National Parks and Reserves, but specifically in the following: Serengeti NP, Tanzania, and Matobo NP, Zimbabwe.
Habitat
Hyrax will look for kopje, cliffs, or boulders with numerous cavities that will allow many hyraxes to inhabit the rock free from harm. Hyraxes, like reptiles, have little control of their body heat so in order to warm up they must sunbathe in the morning before the sunlight becomes too hot. If a hyrax is exposed to 70* F for less than 2 hours it can suffer heat stress.
The bush hyrax is one of the only browsers that feeds in trees and bushes while the rock hyrax is a grazer. A rock hyrax will travel up to 60 yd in order to find the best food, but without risking its safety.
Social Systems
Colonies will consist of a clan of related females accompanied by territorial males and offspring. Kopgjes can hold anywhere from 2 to 26 rock hyraxes and 5 to 34 bush hyraxes. Researchers have reported that in less than 1 acre (4000 sq. m) a colony of 3 to 7 females can inhabit this small area. Territories for males average about 1.2 acres (4800 sq. m) for rock hyraxes and 1/4 acre (2950 sq. m) for bush hyraxes.
Relations between the rock and the bush hyrax are quite peaceful. In some cases they will sunbathe together, sleep together, and even allow their offspring to play together.
Reproduction
Births are annual during the rainy season. In equatorial areas, there are 2 birth peaks during the 2 rainy seasons. Both sexes mature by the age of 1.5, but typically do not mate until 2.5 years.
Predators
Eagles, leopard, caracal, and snakes
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