A gregarious mammal, the rock hyrax lives in colonies of 2 to 26 individuals, typically consisting of a breeding male, sometimes a subordinate male, and several adult females and their offspring (4). The rock hyrax is typically active during the day, although it may occasionally be active and heard calling on moonlit nights (4) (6). When it emerges from its resting place, the rock hyrax spends one or two hours basking in the sun to warm up before an afternoon spent foraging. On overcast, rainy or cold days, the rock hyrax will often remain under cover (4) (6) and it will also seek shade during very hot weather (4).
The rock hyrax feeds on grasses, shrubs and forbs, and has a preference for new shoots, buds, fruits and berries (1), which it may obtain by grazing on the ground, or climbing trees to reach fresh leaves (4). While the group is feeding or basking, either the breeding male or a female will keep look out from a high rock or branch, and will give a sharp bark alarm call if danger threatens, at which point the group will scurry for cover (4).
The breeding season of the rock hyrax varies depending on location, with mating taking place from August to September in Israel, and August to November in Kenya. The female gives birth to between one and six young after a gestation period of 202 to 245 days. The young, which are typically born in a rocky crevice, are well developed at birth and can move about with agility after just a day. The young feed on the female’s milk for one to five months, but may begin taking solid food within two weeks. The rock hyrax reaches sexual maturity at 16 to 17 months, and may live for up to 11 years (4).