Rock Hyrax
Procavia capensis
A small, furry African animal that looks like a rodent but is actually a distant relative of elephants.
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About the Rock Hyrax
Rock hyraxes weigh 4 to 12 pounds and are brownish gray with long black whiskers. The soles of their feet are rubbery, moist and shaped to work like suction cups, so they can run and jump on steep rocks. They live in colonies of 5 to 60 in rocky, scrubby areas across much of Africa and parts of the Middle East, and they eat plants, including some that are poisonous to most animals.[1]
Quick facts
- Scientific name
- Procavia capensis[2]
- Size
- 12 to 22 inches long; 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder.[1]
- Weight
- 4 to 12 pounds.[1]
- Lifespan
- 9 to 12 years.[1]
- Diet
- Herbivore. Grazes and browses on many plants.[1]
- Habitat
- Rocky, scrub-covered areas, kopjes and cliffs.[1]
- Where it lives
- Much of Africa, plus parts of the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula.[1]
- Group life
- Colonies of 5 to 60. Active during the day.[1]
- Babies
- Usually about three, born fully furred with eyes open.[1]
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2014).[2]
Fun facts
Vocabulary
- kopje
- A rocky hill that rises out of the flat African grassland (say "KOP-ee").
- colony
- A large group of animals of one kind that live together.
- incisor
- A sharp front tooth used for biting.
- herbivore
- An animal that eats only plants.
- least concern
- A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.
See it in person
- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and AquariumOmaha, Nebraska · Scott African GrasslandsSee this area on the zoo's website ↗
Sources
- [1] Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. “Rock hyrax.” https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/rock-hyrax (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Procavia capensis (Rock Hyrax).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/41766/21285876 (accessed 2026-10-02)
Facts last checked 2026-10-02.