The Rock Hyrax is a large species of Hyrax, most commonly found in Eastern Africa.They are also known as the Rock Dassie or the Rock Rabbit, due to their rodent-like appearance but despite this, they are thought to be most closely related to much larger animals including the Elephant and the Manatee.Although obviously much smaller than their distant … It is a mixed feeder, but prefers grass when available during rainy seasons. Dog, Common. It is sometimes seen in the company of other types of hyrax, but species do not interbreed. I ran passed my friends and up some boulders until it was out of my sight. So I have two of these Rock Dassies in my yard. There are currently more than three colonies and an unknown number of individuals living in the Garden and they are often seen lazing around or feeding behind the Herbarium Building on most sunny afternoons. In response, a culling programme will be introduced. They are known in english as a Rock Hyrax and got that name from the Hebrew word shaphan that means “the hidden one”. Capture Cage . Rock Hyrax Rock Hyrax Classification and Evolution. The Ein Gedi area is absolutely breathtaking, but it's not a particularly good hub for touring the rest of the country - Tel Aviv or Jerusalem are better for that. The thick fur is a dull grey-brown, which changes according to the habitat. The rock hyrax has the widest distribution in East Africa. The Cape rock hyrax, commonly known in South Africa as a dassie or a rock rabbit, is a stocky, squat animal that looks more like a guinea pig than a rabbit. I yelled and ran with new energy. Dassies, Rock rabbits, Rock hyrax, Cape hyrax or Klipdas. Dassie numbers to be controlled Details 17 July 2012 AN infestation of dassies has been reported in parts of Joburg, with the animals leaving reserves and invading homes. This means the eagle reaches a speed of 180kph. When they hear the alarm, the others will quickly scuttle to safety, or remain completely immobile. Procavia capensis - The Cape Rock Hyrax. READ MORE This close evolutionary relationship is deduced from similarities in the structure of the feet and teeth. Dassies, Rock rabbits, Rock hyrax, Cape hyrax or Klipdas. Ten rock hyraxes, six females and four males, were caught and housed at the UKZN Animal House Facility, Pietermaritzburg, where they remained in captivity for 16 months for an unrelated research study. Dassies are the Afrikaans and most commonly name used for a small mammal, Procavia carpensis (Latin) in South Africa. Rock hyraxes were caught in winter (July 2005) when the scarcity of food made them easier to catch. The Rock Hyrax is the African elephant’s closest living relative, in spite of the size difference. That was until I saw something unfamiliar, big and brown in my peripheral. Their Latin names means the first guinea-pig (Procavia) belonging to the cape (carpensis). The rock hyrax feeds, forages, and lazes in the sun in large groups. The dassie is a delicacy on the eagle’s menu. Generally, it has a conspicuous white patch over the eye, and its dorsal spot is whitish or yellowish. Dassies are more closely related to the … The rock hyrax or dassie is a very popular and sociable mammal that is often seen in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden. To catch a dassie, the eagle has to dive from 150m in the sky to ground level in three seconds. The Rock Hyrax gets its name from the Dutch for small badger: dasje, which is a more accurate description than the English ‘rock rabbit’, as the dassie has very tiny ears and no tail.