Procavia capensis
rock hyrax

Syria south through NE Africa through most of sub-Saharan Africa. Isolated mountains in Libya and Algeria.

Cape hyraxes live in crevices and cavities in rock outcroppings. They do not burrow, but they will inhabit burrows of other animals including those of aardvarks and meerkats.

In external appearance, hyraxes superficially resemble rabbits with short ears and tail. In all other respects, hyraxes are completely different from rabbits and are more closely related to elephants and other perissodactyls. The skull has a single pair of long, strong, tusk-like incisors and molars that resemble rhinoceros' molars. The feet are plantigrade (fore) to semi-digitigrade (hind). The soles of the feet have soft, large pads that are kept moist with sweat-like secretions. Male hyraxes are slightly larger than females (4kg vs 3.6kg). Measurements: Total length: 475-585mm; Tail length: 11-24mm; Hindfoot: 65-76mm; Ear 27-38mm.

Hyraxes live in herds of up to 80 individuals. These herds are subdivided into smaller flocks consisting of a few families and headed by an adult male. Hyraxes spend most of their time resting in large huddles or basking alone. These behaviors probably serve to help regulate body temperature as hyraxes' body temperature fluctuates with ambient temperature (i.e. they are not strictly homeothermic).

Procavia capensis eats a wide variety of herbaceous plants, favoring giant lobelia and members of the genus Senecio. New shoots and fruits are the preferred diet, but grasses up to 75% of the diet during the dry season.

In times of large populations, hyraxes can move out of their rocky habitat and into areas of human habitiation where they may become pests by living in culverts and stone walls.

Cape hyraxes produce large, communal piles of dung and urine that eventually congeal into a sticky mass. This substance (hyraceum) has been used by humans as a medicine for treating epilepsy, convulsions, and "women's disorders."