Fauna
Mammal

Southern Tree Hyrax

Dendrohyrax arboreus

Also known as Southern Tree Dassie

Southern tree hyraxes spend nearly their entire lives high in the canopy, gripping mossy branches with specialized, rubbery foot pads that act like suction cups. Best known for their haunting nocturnal vocalizations, individuals broadcast territorial crescendos of shrieks and barks that carry for kilometers across dense montane forests. Though superficially resembling large rodents, these nimble climbers are phylogenetically closest to elephants and manatees.

NocturnalArborealVocal
Southern Tree Hyrax reference1 / 5
(c) Fábio Olmos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Fábio Olmos · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFicus Leaves, Podocarpus Foliage, Wild Fruits
Predators
  • Crowned Eagle
  • Leopard
  • African Rock Python
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, and local hunting for skins and meat
HabitatsAfromontane forests, coastal forests, and riverine woodlands
Life span10–12 years
Classification
  1. OrderHyracoidea
  2. FamilyProcaviidae
  3. GenusDendrohyrax
  4. SpeciesDendrohyrax arboreus
Range & activity
Native
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Listen After Dark: Identify their territory through loud, escalating nighttime screams reverberating through the forest canopy.
  • Use Red Light: Scan tall branches with a red-filtered headlamp to spot eye-shine without startling them.
  • Inspect Tree Bases: Look for accumulated dung piles at tree bases indicating active, long-term sleeping hollows.
Related species
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