The Rock Hyrax or Rock Badger (Procavia capensis) is one of the four living species of the order Hyracoidea, and the only living species in the genus Procavia. Like all hyraxes, it is a medium-sized (~4 kg) terrestrial mammal, superficially resembling a guinea pig with short ears and tail. The closest living relatives to hyraxes are the modern-day elephants and sirenians. The rock hyrax is found across Africa and the Middle East, in habitats with rock crevices in which to escape from predators. Hyraxes typically live in groups of 10–80 animals, and forage as a group. They have been reported to use sentries: one or more animals take up position on a vantage point and issue alarm calls on the approach of predators.
Over most of its range, the rock hyrax is not endangered, and in some areas is considered a minor pest. In Ethiopia, Israel and Jordan, they have been shown to be a reservoir of the leishmaniasis parasite.
Prominent in and apparently unique to hyraxes is the dorsal gland, which excretes an odor used for social communication and territorial marking. The gland is most clearly visible in dominant males.
Thermoregulation in the rock hyrax has been subject to much research, as their body temperature varies with a diurnal rhythm. However, animals kept in constant environmental conditions also display such variation and this internal mechanism may be related to water balance regulation.
The rock hyrax occurs across sub-Saharan Africa, with the exception of the Congo basin and Madagascar. Hyraxes live in colonies of up to 80 individuals. These colonies are subdivided into smaller groups consisting of a few families. These consist of 3 to 15 related adult females, a dominant male, and several young. The dominant male defends and watches over the group. The male also marks its territory.
In Africa, hyraxes are preyed on by leopards, Egyptian cobras, puff adders, Rock pythons, caracals, wild dogs, and eagles. Verreaux's Eagle in particular is a specialist hunter of hyrax.
Rock hyraxes are very noisy and sociable. Adults make use of at least 21 different vocal signals.
The Tree Hyraxes are the two species in the genus Dendrohyrax. The two species are: Eastern Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax arboreus), found in East and Southern Africa, Western Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis), found in West and Central Africa The tree hyrax is a small nocturnal mammal that is distantly related to elephants and sea cows. They have 4-toed front feet and 3-toed back feet with rounded nails, and rubbery soles that help them climb.