HYRAXES (DASSIES) (Order HYRRACOIDAE)

Only 1 family (Procaviidae); 3 species: 
Rock dassie; 
Tree dassie;
Yellow-spotted dassie



  • small, solidify built with a stump for a tail
  • rubbery pads that contain sweat glands
  • 4 digits on front feet and 3 on hind foot
  • all digits ends have nails except for inner digit on hind foot, they have claws.
  • 1 pair of upper incisor teeth; 2 pairs of lower incisors
  • a dorsal gland surrounded by a circle of hair that stiffens when they are excited.
  • poor regulation of body temperature
  • efficient kidneys enable them to function on a bare minimum of moisture intake.
  • capacity for concentrating urea and excreting un-dissolved calcium carbonate
  • urinate all the time at the same place
  • loss of body heat is prevented by the behaviour of huddling together, long periods of inactivity and basking in the sun.
  • feed on plant matter

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