Mammal
Western Tree Hyrax
Dendrohyrax dorsalisAlso known as Western Tree Dassie, Beecroft's Tree Hyrax
Western tree hyraxes spend their lives high in the rainforest canopy, descending only rarely to switch trees or search for dropped fruit. Their loud, eerie territorial calls echo across the forest at night, starting as a series of deliberate croaks before building into piercing screams. Specialized foot pads moisten with secretions to act like suction cups, allowing them to scale slippery vertical trunks with ease.
NocturnalArborealHerbivorous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyLeaves, Wild figs, Forest fruits
Predators
- Leopards
- African Crowned Eagles
- African Rock Pythons
ThreatsDeforestation, forest fragmentation, and local bushmeat hunting
HabitatsLowland tropical rainforests, moist montane forests
Life span10–14 years in the wild
Classification
- FamilyProcaviidae
- SpeciesDendrohyrax dorsalis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from afar; can deliver a defensive bite with sharp incisors if cornered.
Responsible observation
- Listen closely: Identify them by their distinct nocturnal screaming calls that echo through the canopy.
- Scan tree hollows: Look for sleeping individuals nestled in large tree cavities or dense vine tangles during the day.
- Maintain distance: Keep a respectful distance to avoid causing stress to roosting animals.
Predator (c) Suvarna Parbhoo Mohan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Fábio Olmos, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Fábio Olmos · cc-by
Family Member (c) dhfischer, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Member (c) Summer J. Smentek, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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