Bush Hyrax Heterohyrax brucei

There is one species of Rock Hyrax (the Rock/Cape Hyrax), one Bush Hyrax (sometimes called the Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax) and three species of Tree Hyrax. Each type of hyrax is in a different genus and, while physically similar, the genera have very different traits such as dental structure and reproductive anatomy.

The Bush Hyrax is native to bush, savannah and rocky habitats of a large part of eastern Africa. It is the smallest of the hyraxes.

The Bush Hyrax is also called Bruce's Yellow-spotted Hyrax. The name relates to a gland on the back that secretes a yellowish (sometimes reddish) substance, visible on the adults above.

Although all look like rodents, hyraxes are, surprisingly, related to elephants, elephant shrews and sea cows.

Like elephants, Bush Hyraxes have flattened, hoof-like toenails at the end of their foot instead of the slender toes and claws of rodents. They share several other physical traits with elephants and sea cows, such as tusks from incisor teeth rather than canine teeth.

Female and young hyraxes live in family groups with a dominant male; bachelor males are solitary. Foraging in groups, like meerkats, they have a look-out to sound an alarm for predators and care for each others' young.