The Rock Hyrax
By: Paityn and Macey
Life Span
A hyrax can
live up to 9-12
years. The females
usually live longer than the
males.
How They Communicate and
How They React To Humans
Hyraxes have special high-pitched noises to
warn other Hyraxes. They twitter, growl, whistle,
and shriek.
They are a lot like squirrels when it comes to
interacting with humans. They
don’t mind being around humans, but it’s
probably best if they aren’t pets.
Habitat
They live in East Africa,
ranging from a dry savannah (as
shown in the picture), to dense
rainforests, to cold afro-alpine
moorland.
Hyraxes and Their Food
What Do They Eat?
A hyraxes diet consists of herbs, grasses, fruits,
and leaves. They are omnivores, so they also eat
bird eggs, insects, and small sunbathing lizards.
They usually don’t eat much, but they eat often.
How Do They Get Their Food
(Do They Hunt or Find Food)?
Hyraxes both hunt and forage for food. They sneak up on
sun bathing lizards, insects, bird eggs, and gather fruit, grasses,
herbs, and leaves.
What Species Are They, What Do They
Look Like, and What Are They Known
For?
Our species of Hyrax
is the Rock Hyrax. They
are brown/grey and they
are know for looking like
oversized guinea pigs.
They also have a 7 inch
body with an 1 inch tail
and weigh about 5-9 lbs.
Predator? Prey? How Do They
Defend Themselves? Who is Their
Predators?
They are predator and prey. To defend
themselves from predators they
hide behind rocks. They also
have special calls to warn each
other. Their predators are
leopards, eagles, mongoose, lions, and jackals.
Are They Hunted By Humans?
Are Humans Helping Them?
Hyraxes are hunted
by humans because they
eat hyraxes meat and
they also use them for
their soft fur. So, humans
aren’t necessarily helping
them.
Are They Endangered?
Hyraxes are not endangered
(thankfully).
Do They Have Any Diseases?
No, hyraxes
do not carry
diseases.
Family Life
Hyraxes are very social. The females live in family groups
their whole lives. Males stand from a distance to protect the
group. They have a gestation period of 7 months, and their
young are just called babies. The males are the most dominate,
standing guard while the females stand in a group.
Bibliographies
Books:
1)Dagg, Anne. “Pika.” World Book. Chicago: World
Book, Inc., 2006.
2) “Hyraxes.” World Book. Chicago: World Book,
Inc., 2006.
Bibliographies
Online:
1) “Growing Up Hyrax.” San Diego Zoo. 1-24-13.
www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/trock_hyrax.html>.
2) “Hyrax.” African Wildlife Foundation. 1-24-13.
www.awf.org>.
3) “Hyraxes.” A-Z-Animals. 1-23-13. <www.a-zanimals.com>.
Bibliographies
Photos
6)www.rinbot.wordpress.com
1)www.arkive.org
2)www.article.wn.com
7)www.safarishots.com
8)www.treknature.com
3)www.awf.org
4)www.blackproject.blogspot.com
9)www.volcanodiscovery.org
5)www.ferrebeekeeper.wordpress.com
10)www.wikipedia.org