Where does the rock hyrax live?
The rock hyrax lives in Africa and the Middle East, in rocky areas with crevices, at elevations up to 4,200 m, where it can escape predators. It is the only extant terrestrial afrotherian in the Middle East. Hyraxes live in groups of 10 to 80 animals, and forage as a group. They have been reported to use sentries to warn of the approach of predators.
What does the rock hyrax eat?
Hyraxes feed on a wide variety of plant species, including Lobelia and broad-leafed plants, as well as insects and grubs. Having incomplete thermoregulation, they are most active in the morning and evening, and spend roughly 95% of their time resting. Despite being about the size of a hare, they are distantly related to elephants: they have tusk-like incisors.
Is the rock hyrax endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern. Over most of its range, the rock hyrax is not endangered, and in some areas it is considered a minor pest. Its predators include the leopard, the caracal, snakes, birds of prey and especially Verreaux's eagle. It weighs about 4 to 5 kg.
