Rock Hyrax Flashcards
What is another name for the rock hyrax?
Rock badger, cape hyrax
What is the closest living relative to the rock hyrax?
Modern elephants
What is the general size of a rock hyrax group?
10 - 80 animals
How do rock hyraxes watch for predators?
They have sentries.
Is the rock hyrax diurnal or nocturnal?
Diurnal.
True or false? The rock hyrax is considered to be a minor pest in some areas of its range.
True.
What is the conservation status of the rock hyrax?
Least concern.
Are male or female rock hyraxes bigger?
Males.
What is the range and habitat of the rock hyrax?
It is found in central and southern Africa in rocky areas.
What color fur does a rock hyrax that lives in the desert have?
Light gray.
What color is the fur of a rock hyrax in a wetter area?
Dark brown.
How is the size of a hyrax measured?
They measure its skull and humerus diameter.
Why do hyraxes get larger in the wetter areas?
It creates more foliage for them to eat.
Hyraxes have a unique scent gland. Where is it?
On their back.
What do rock hyraxes use odor for?
Communicating and establishing territories.
What kind of teeth are a hyrax’s tusks?
Incisors.
The testes of a hyrax, manatee, and elephant are similar. How so?
They are located within the abdomen.
True or false? The hyrax is completely warm blooded.
False. Their body temperature varies over the course of the day.
What is one theory as to why hyraxes have incomplete thermoregulation?
It helps them to retain water.
How are hyrax groups split up?
They are several family groups living together with one dominant male, several females, and the young.
Who defends and watches over a hyrax family group?
The dominant male.
Who marks territory in a hyrax group?
The dominant male.
What are some predators of the hyrax?
Big cats, snakes, wild dogs, and raptors.
What do hyraxes eat?
Plants, insects, and grubs.
How do hyraxes defend themselves from predators?
They will run and hide under rocks when the sentry sounds the alarm call.
How do hyraxes go many days without water?
They obtain water from their food.
True or false? Hyraxes are too fat and stumpy to climb trees.
False.
why are hyraxes sometimes considered a pest?
They enter gardens and eat plants.
How many babies do rock hyraxes have?
Three
What is the gestation period of the rock hyrax?
7 months
What is ineresting about newborn rock hyraxes?
Their eyes are open from birth.
When are rock hyraxes sexually mature?
1 1/2 years old
How long do rock hyraxes live?
10 years.
What psychological theory has been observed for the first time in hyraxes?
Structural balance (The friend of my friend is my friend)
How many sounds can rock hyraxes make and what is the most common one?
They can make 21 sounds and the most common one is a high trill.
How have some rock hyraxes developed a “culture”?
They have different ways of making the same call depending on geographic location.
What passage in the Bible incorrectly states that the hyrax chews cud?
Leviticus 11: 4-8
Why may the authors of the Bible thought the hyrax chews cud?
They occasionally move their jaws and grunt to threaten things.
What do hyraxes spend 95% of their time doing?
Resting.
Why do hyraxes bask so often?
To make up for their incomplete thermoregulation.
What do humans use hyrax musk for?
Making perfume.
According to the Torah, is the hyrax kosher?
No.
According to the Torah, is the hyrax wise?
Yes.
Besides the tusks and testes, what are two other anatomical similarities between hyraxes and elephants?
Configuration of the nipples, and flattened nails on their digits.
