Procavia capensis Skull Replica measures 3.2 inches. Procavia capensis Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane resin cast. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Known as Rock Hyrax
The Procavia capensis or Rock hyrax is a medium-sized terrestrial mammal native to Africa and the Middle East.
It is one of the five living species of the order Hyracoidea, and the only one in the genus Procavia. Rock hyraxes weigh 8.8–11.0 lb. and have short ears.
Procavia capensis are found at elevations up to 13,800 ft. above sea level in habitats with rock crevices, allowing them to escape from predators.
Hyraxes feed on a wide variety of plant species, including Lobelia and broad-leafed plants. They also have been reported to eat insects and grubs.
They forage for food up to about 50 m from their refuge, usually feeding as a group and with one or more acting as sentries from a prominent lookout position.
On the approach of danger, the sentries give an alarm call, and the animals quickly retreat to their refuge.
Procavia capensis are able to go for many days without water due to the moisture they obtain through their food, but quickly dehydrate under direct sunlight.
Despite their seemingly clumsy build, they are able to climb trees and readily enter residential gardens to feed on the leaves of citrus and other trees.
The Procavia capensis also makes a loud, grunting sound while moving its jaws as if chewing, and this behavior may be a sign of aggression.
Some authors have proposed that observation of this behavior by ancient Israelites gave rise to the misconception given in Leviticus 11:4–8 that the hyrax chews the cud, but the hyrax is not a ruminant.
