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Cape, or large-toothed rock, hyrax - PROC AVIA CAPENSIS
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Hyrax": "Hyrax" comes from the Greek "hurax," meaning shrew mouse.
Location: Africa south of the Sahara, Arabia and the Middle East.
Habitat: Terrestrial, on rocky terrain in savanna and semiarid regions.
Description: They are usually brownish gray on the back and cream underneath, although some hyraxes are yellowish in color. The coat is dense with thick underfur, but on the back there is a hairless area corresponding to the position of a dorsal gland which produces the characteristic odor of the species. The gland is surrounded by longer, erectile hairs which are yellow, orange, brown, or black. The upper incisors are triangular in cross section and evergrowing, like the rodents. They are about 12 to 22" long, with a short tail about 1/2 in, and they weigh up to 9.5 lbs.
Behavior: This is the only species of hyrax found outside of Africa. They live in colonies, unlike the tree hyraxes. These colonies are composed of family units which may number more than fifty individuals, which usually remain close to rocky crevices where they can duck out of sight when danger looms. They are diurnal and spend much time sunning themselves. They are vegetarian, and may forage as far as half-a-football-field away from the safety of the rocks in seach of food. They need very little water to survive.
Reproduction: Gestation lasts six or seven months, when the female gives birth to two to four young, whose eyes are open and who have fully developed coats of fur. They are able to eat solid food after only a few days, and are completely weaned by ten weeks.
Go to the Hyracoidea Page to learn more about these unique animals.
Go to the Tree Hyrax for the only other Hyracoid listed in America Zoo.
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