Rock hyraxes are round, furry mammals, growing up to 17 – 24 inches and weighing about 9 pounds.

Believe it or not, rock hyraxes are most closely related to elephants and dugongs! They have small tusks that come from their incisors, like elephants and dugongs, as opposed to most other tusked mammals where the tusks come from the canines. Also, the rock hyraxes have flat nails on the tips of their toes similar to elephants, while other small mammals have curved claws.

The rock hyrax has short legs with three toes on their back feet and four in the front. The pads of their feet are rubbery and produce a sweat-like substance. This allows their feet to lift up like suction cups so they can keep their grip on rocky surfaces. Their back feet also have small nails that are used for grooming.

Rock hyraxes are found across Africa and the Middle East. As their name suggests, they prefer to live in rock formations and nooks of sheer cliff faces in large groups of up to 80 individuals.

The rock hyrax spends 95% of its time sunbathing so they can regulate their body temperature. When they aren’t resting, they’ll forage for food, which consists mainly of plants but also some insects and grubs. Rock hyraxes will travel as a large group when looking for food with at least one rock hyrax serving as a look out for danger. If a predator appears, the lookout will let out a sound of alarm, so the rock hyraxes can quickly retreat.

Mating season for the rock hyrax differs depending on geographic region. Female rock hyraxes carry their babies for about seven months and will give birth to up to six pups. The pups are born with their eyes open and fully furred but won’t be able to ingest solid food for about two months. After three years, the pups will become adult size.