A small, round-bodied mammal that many people mistake for a rodent, a rabbit, or even a tiny bear—until they learn its surprising family connections. Hyraxes are their own special group, and the southern tree hyrax is one of the species that prefers a life among trunks, branches, and rocky hideouts rather than open ground. It has short legs, a blunt face, and small, rounded ears, with dense fur that can look gray-brown and blends well into bark and shadow. It moves with a careful, gripping confidence, thanks to one of its coolest features: soft, rubbery pads on its feet that help it cling to surfaces like natural climbing shoes.

While rock hyraxes are often seen sunbathing on boulders in groups, the southern tree hyrax is more likely to stay hidden in tree hollows, thick branches, or crevices, often becoming active when the world is dimmer and quieter. It has a reputation for being more nocturnal than the better-known rock hyrax, spending daytime hours tucked away and then emerging to feed after dusk. Its diet is mostly leaves, buds, and bark, and it can also nibble fruit when it’s available. Because it feeds on tough, fibrous plant material, it spends a good amount of time chewing and digesting, moving slowly and carefully between feeding spots.

Another standout trait is its voice. The southern tree hyrax can be surprisingly loud for a small animal, producing sharp calls at night that can sound spooky or haunting in the forest. These calls help it communicate with others, mark territory, and keep track of neighbors in dense vegetation where visibility is limited. It also has a scent gland on its back that it uses to mark and rub against surfaces, leaving a chemical “signature.”

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Angola

2013

Burundi

2013

DR Congo (Kinshasa)

2013

Kenya

2013

Malawi

2013

Mozambique

2013

Rwanda

2013

South Africa

2013

Kwazulu-natal, Eastern Cape Province

Tanzania

2013

Uganda

2013

Zambia

2013