Rock+Dassies

The Rock Hyrax or “Rock Dassie” is described as looking like a larger guinea pig. The closest living relatives to dassies are actually elephants. The rock dassie is found across central and south africa, usually found in rock crevices and such to hide from predators. Dassies usually live in groups of 10-80 animals. The hyrax is not endangered and in some places is seen as a pest. Adults end up growing to a length of around 20 inches and weighing around 8.8 lb making males around 10% heavier than females.

Their fur is thick and grey-brown, although this varies strongly between different environments. From dark brown in wetter habitats, to light gray in the desert. Unique to hyraxes, they have a dorsal gland, which puts out an odor used for communication and setting territories.The rock hyrax has a pair of long, pointed tusk-like upper teeth which are compared to an elephant. The soles of the feet have soft pads that are kept moist with sweat-like pores. After a gestation period of around seven months, a mother will give birth to two to three offspring. They become sexually mature at around 16 months and reach full adult size at three years, usually living to about ten.