If Lamai Serengeti would be famous for sharing its koppie
with one particular animal, it would be the Rock Hyrax. This super interesting
and little furry mammal (+/-4 kg) is seen so much around camp, you really can’t
miss it. And as our relationship with the Rock Hyrax around camp grew, both them
and us seem to benefit from our company.
How?
Well, the presence of us keeps other predators away – at
least that is during the day when we are around. Seeking that safety, they seem
to understand that it is actually quite practical to have a small number of
Homo Sapien around the rocks.
So interestingly, mutual interest and respect seems to have
grown. This great and funny little guinea pig meets rabbit look-a-like is
really so cool to observe. And if you can’t find them – they’ll tell you where
they are.
The Rock Hyrax really are VERY vocal. The noise they make is
known as songs (read: screams!). Not beautiful in the way that it’s a pleasure
to the ears, it certainly is very identifying for the Hyrax. High thrilling
screeching sounds are not mistaken for any other animal. Better even, seeing
them sing is completely funny!
Sociable as they are, they live in groups of up to 80 individuals,
spread out over a number of smaller flocks. The amount of songs they have on
their repertoire is impressive. Living here at Lamai Serengeti, we learned to
listen to a slice of the variety they sing. As we researched on meanings of
different songs, it seems that certain songs even contain biological
information such as age, status, size and hormonal state of the singer! Isn’t
that just totally incredible!?
Oophw! – that is a lot on the rock hyrax’s hey? But
they really deserve it!
Come and listen too!
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