#desertof

[zoologytopics]

Rock Hyrax

The Rock Hyrax is known by many names. The Swahili refer to them as Wibari, Pelele and Pimbi; however, Wibari and Pelele have been retired for the tree hyraxes.

They are also referred to as Klipdas which comes from the language Afrikaans and means “cliff badger.”

Other names include Rock Dassies, Pimbi, Stone Badger, Cape Hyrax, Coney, and Rock Rabbits. However, their scientific name is Procavia capensis.

Subspecies include P. c. capensis/Cape Rock Hyrax, P. c. habessinicus/Ethiopian Rock Hyrax, P. c. johnstoni/Black-Necked Rock Hyrax, P. c. ruficeps/Red-Headed Rock Hyrax and P. c. welwitschii/Kaokoveld Rock Hyrax. The Cape Rock Hyrax occurs in South Africa and Namibia. The Ethiopian Rock Hyrax occurs in northeastern Africa and Arabia The Black-Necked Rock Hyrax occurs in Central and East Africa The Red-Headed Rock Hyrax occurs n southern Sahara The Kaokoveld Rock Hyrax occurs in the Kaokoveld desertof Namibia

The Rock Hyrax spans all over Africa in multiple subspecies as referenced. They also occur through most of Lebanon,Israel, Jordan and the Sinai and the Arabian Peninsula.

The Rock Hyrax has a short snout with long black whiskers and a cleft upper lip. They have a gland which is covered by hair which will stand straight up when angry, frightened or excited. They have rubber-like feet which are constantlymoist due to a gland on the bottom of their foot. Their fur coloring ranges from a yellowish to grayish-brown with a slightly lighter colored belly.

Adults weigh 4-13 pounds, and measure 12-23 inches long and 8-12 inches tall.

The Rock HYrax has a claw on their back foot which has been nicknamed their ‘grooming claw’ which they use to pick through and scratch at their fur. They also have a special eyelid which protects them against sun and dust. They have dorsal gland which is used to mark their territory and communicate with their colony.

The Rock Hyrax’s closest living relatives are elephants and manatees. They are one of four species of hyraxes.

The Rock Hyrax resides in rocky and scrub-covered habtats, and lives in kopjes, rock outcroppings,rock formations, and cliffs. Colonies consist of 5-60 individuals.

Rock Hyraxes diet consist of various vegetation which varies during the time of the yrear, during the wet season they primarily eat grass, while during the dry season they consume mostly fruits and leaves. They consume plants which are poisonous for many animals, to help digest this toxic vegetation they have a 3-chambered stomach.

Rock Hyraxes have incredible eyesight and hearing; their eyesight is so incredible that they can see over 1,000 yards away. They are primarily active during the day, which starts off with a couple hour long sunbath before feeding. Funnily enough, the slightest hint of rainy or just dreary weather and they’ll spend the day inside.

Rock Hyraxes live in colonies which are made up an adult male, several femals and their offspring. Young males are pushed out of their natal colony at 2 years old, and will remain on the outskirts of random colonies until they are able to take over a colony of their own.

Rock and Bush Hyraxes are known to intermix when grazing, and will even spend nights in the same holes, as well as defecate/urinate in the same areas.

Rock Hyraxes will graze in tight circle formations to keep a lookout for predators, these are similar to muskoxen and elephant’s rosettes.

The Rock Hyraxes have many predators including leopards, hyenas, jackals, servals, pythons, the Verreaux’s eagle and the Black Eagle. Pretty much anything where a hyrax would fill them.

Rock Hyraxes have a gestation period of 6 ½ to 8 ½ months long, after which 1-6 kits(cubs?) will be born- the average is 3- with a full coat. They develop quickly with walking coming 24 hours after being born, and by the 3rd day typically have begun to graze. Colony mothers will form nursery groups in which a certain amount of females will go off on their own, while a certain amount of females will watch over the kits. They are weaned at 1-5 months old, and reach sexual maturity at 16-17 months old. They can live as much as 9-12 years, however in the wild their average lifespan is 4.9 years.

Communication is achieved by grunts, wails, squeals, snorts, twitters, growls, whistles and shrieks.

They are considered pests which take up livestock grazing pastures in some areas, and they are hunted for both their meat and soft fur. Even though their population is stable and they are listed as least concern, conservations efforts include research, working with local governments and developing conservation tourism.

Sources: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/rock-hyrax, https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/rock-hyrax, https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/rock-hyrax-fact-sheet/

[an-artist-lens]

It's easier for a rich man to ride that camel through the eye of a needle directly into the Kingdom of Heaven, than for some of us to give up our cell phone. . . . . . . . . . follow us on @an_artist_lens . . . ..... . . . . . . .#keeptagging @an_artist_lens . . . . .. . . . .#camelloversofindia #lovecamelrajasthan #shipofthesand #tallcamels #royalcamels #deserthoppers #freetowalkonsand #rajasthantimes❣️❣️ #jodhpurvibes❤ #lovelycaretakers #camelcaretakers #jelleweryofcamel #lovervibes #indianculturalplay #an_artist_lens #likesforcamels #coolcarriers #desertof Sahara #dowhatilovetododoitwithloveandkeepsmiling #biggerhashtags #rajarshisolanki . . . @an_artist_lens @anunaysood @smack.my.bishop @anunaysood @andylassner @annafaris @jenniferaniston @radial.majesty @ananyapanday @ankit_____0104 @lokhandeankita @anushkasen0408 @anchalsinghofficial @photoshop @madspeteriversen_photography @photoshop @indian.photography @photographers_of_india @photographers_of_india @juhizzzphotography @jithin_pho @official_photographers_hub @indiangirlstravel @__girlwithlens__ @gigihadid @karengillan @gima_ashi @haram_khor_ @daniel.vegas @beingsalmankhan @salonayyy @sushantsinghrajput @khatereh_moradkhani @picsart @pics_n_clicks_0 @oceandotcom @camel_cookies @camelbackinn (at Jaipura, Rajasthan, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CD2sZujADJg/?igshid=13wy1bfc9q16h

[territorealities]

Desert of Pharan

book by Ahmed Mater “Desert of Pharan Unofficial Histories behind the Mass Expansion of Mecca” Lars Muller Publishers

photo by Ahmed Mater in guardian

review of the New York Times

[ssunspotted]

doyou think they know when theyre dying.do you think they can be happy.whenthey are lost in this  painted desertof  flat wall for days trying to fly at lights. no way out

and some giant thing picks them up and puts them onto  a little wet sponge. and finally there is water

and they uncurll their little mouths and  drink again.

do you think they can feel  glad. to be alive.

[kenneturner]

Doubtful Canyon, 360

Doubtful Canyon, 360 (12-08-12) — Photo-Artistry by kenne Standing In The Eye Look aroundwhat do you see? A bright sunin a blue sky above a desertof rocks and sand surrounded bymountain ranges — look again andyou will see life you can only seestanding in the eye. — kenne