Thursday 25 June 2009 Bush hyrax

The Bush Hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei), otherwise known as the Yellow-spotted (Bush or Rock) Hyrax is a small mammal that is around 12-15 inches long (30-38 centimeters) and can weigh between 5 and 9 pounds (2.2-4 Kilograms) and has a distinctive coat of fur that is mottled with browns, yellows, and grays. It has short limbs, a black nose, short but alert ears, and large eyes. Their fur is made up of a short haired layer which protects them, and slightly longer coats which add to their colored looks. Their tail is nothing more than a small stump which is barely visible, and for a good size comparison think of an overweight bunny. The Bush Hyrax and its many subspecies are found throughout Africa, from Egypt to South Africa, and they prefer rocky terrains and mountainous areas, preferring elevations starting at sea level all the way to 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).

The Bush Hyrax’s species name is Heterohyrax brucei, and it belongs to the Genus Heterohyrax. It is the only species in this genus – however the species itself has 25 known sub-species that have been identified. The Heterohyrax belongs to the family Procaviidae, which has two other genere other than Heterohyrax – Procavia (the Cape Hyrax) and Dendrohyrax (The Tree Hyrax). The family Procaviidae belongs to the order Hyracoidea, in which there are no other families of living mammals. This order belongs to the superorder Afrotheria, which in turn belongs to the Infraclass Euthe="/primates.gif" width="40" height="31" border="0">