Rock Hyrax – dassie
Resembling an over sized guinea pig the Rock Hyrax/Rock Rabbit/Dassie is a common site in South Africa and are very adaptable. They live in colonies and are predominantly found on rocky outcrops. Normally one male has many females, the females have a gestation period of 7 0r r 8 months – unusual for a mammal this size. They eat grass, berries, eggs, shoots and do so cautiously – looking around for predators between mouthfuls. They can live long periods without water as they get the nutrition from what they eat. they are preyed upon by pythons, eagles, leopards and the other smaller cats and scurry at the shrill shriek of a family member. Dassie feet are rubber like to assist them with climbing.

just chilling
Tagged with: Africa • Dassie • Elephant • Rock Hyrax
Filed under: mammals
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