Rock Hyrax
Sounds & Calls
Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis)
The Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis) is a species of hyrax found in parts of sub-Saharan Africa as well as on the Arabian Peninsula. They live in colonies of up to 60 individuals and inhabit rocky outcrops, gorges and arid habitats containing rocks with crevices. The Rock Hyrax is also known as the Dassie, Cape Hyrax and Rock Rabbit.
What does a Rock Hyrax sound like? Rock Hyrax have a wide repertoire of vocalizations including a screaming call, grunts, snorts, shrieks, wails and cackling calls which sound a bit like evil laughter! A study on hyrax calls revealed Rock Hyrax males ‘sing’ to attract females and they build phrases by using a simple syntax of different sounds. The more desirable males sing more complex songs, and these more complex songs are copied by subordinate males to elevate their own status.
Listen to some examples of Rock Hyrax calls and sounds below.
Listen to Rock Hyrax Sounds
The audio in the video below features the sounds of a Rock Hyrax making loud cackles and cries at night in a rocky gorge in the Sautpansberg Ranges, South Africa.
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Other African Wildlife Sounds
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- Hyrax, Rock (Procavia capensis)
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