Rock Hyrax: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Little Mammals · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. Small as it is, the rock hyrax is a distant relative of elephants. It even has two long, pointed upper teeth that look like little tusks.
2. Hyraxes feed together within about 50 m of their rocks. Lookouts watch from a high spot and call an alarm, sending everyone dashing for cover.
3. A rock hyrax spends about 95% of its time resting. To warm up in the sun, several may pile on top of each other, a habit called heaping.
4. In captivity, hyraxes make over 20 sounds. Their calls have rules and local accents, a first for mammals other than primates, whales and bats.
5. For hyraxes, a friend's friend is a friend too. Those living in groups where friendships are spread evenly survive longer.

The quiz

1. Which large animal is the rock hyrax distantly related to?

• The kangaroo
• The horse
• The bat
• The elephant (correct)

Its tusk-like upper teeth recall the elephant, its distant relative.

2. What does a hyrax lookout do when danger approaches?

• Gives an alarm call (correct)
• Runs to fight the predator alone
• Falls asleep
• Climbs down to hide its food

Sentries call an alarm, and the group hurries back to its refuge.

3. What is 'heaping'?

• Storing food in big piles
• Collecting stones into a pile
• Piling on top of each other to bask (correct)
• Building a nest of grass

While basking, several hyraxes pile on top of each other.

4. How many different sounds can captive rock hyraxes make?

• Only one
• More than 20 (correct)
• Exactly two
• None, they are silent

In captivity, they have been heard making over 20 kinds of sound.

5. Which social rule do rock hyraxes follow?

• The biggest always eats first
• Every hyrax for itself
• The friend of my friend is my friend (correct)
• Never share a rock

They live by the idea that a friend's friend is also a friend.

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