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Southern Tree Hyrax
Mammals nocturnal

Southern Tree Hyrax

Dendrohyrax arboreus

Meet the elephant's tiny cousin that lives in the clouds. The Southern Tree Hyrax is a nocturnal acrobat, turning the African canopy into its personal playground while filling the night with its unmistakable, haunting calls.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 45–70 cm (18–28 in); Weight: 1.5–4.5 kg (3.3–10 lbs)

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Colors

Thick, soft grayish-brown fur with a prominent white or cream-colored patch of hair on the lower back covering a scent gland; pale grey to white underbelly.

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Key Features

  • Small, stocky build resembling a large guinea pig
  • Distinctive white or cream-colored patch of hair on the mid-back
  • Short, rounded ears with hair inside
  • Specialized three-toed feet with flat, nail-like hooves and rubbery pads

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal
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Peak hours 8 PM - 4 AM
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Season Year-round
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Diet A specialized herbivore (folivore) that feeds on leaves, shoots, twigs, and fruits. They are selective foragers, often climbing to the highest reaches of the canopy to find the most nutrient-rich growth.
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Habitat Moist and dry forests, riverine woodlands, and well-wooded suburban gardens or parks that offer mature tree cover and nesting hollows.

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Behavior

The Southern Tree Hyrax is a master of the night, known more for its vocalizations than its visibility. Unlike its social rock-dwelling cousins, this species is largely solitary and territorial. They spend their days tucked away in the hollows of mature trees or dense foliage, emerging at dusk to navigate the canopy. Their most famous trait is a loud, haunting nocturnal call—a series of escalating barks and screams—that serves to announce their presence to rivals and mates across the forest.

Despite their somewhat clumsy appearance, they are incredibly agile climbers. They possess specialized, moist pads on the soles of their feet that create a suction-like grip, allowing them to scale smooth bark and steep branches with ease. While they are primarily arboreal, they will occasionally descend to the ground to move between trees, though they remain extremely cautious and quick to retreat at the slightest sign of danger.

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Camera Tips

To successfully capture a Southern Tree Hyrax on camera, you must move your perspective off the ground. These animals spend over 90% of their time in the canopy. Look for 'latrine' sites—areas at the base of large trees with accumulated droppings—as these indicate a resident hyrax above. Mount your camera 6 to 12 feet high on a neighboring trunk, angling it toward a large horizontal branch or a suspected nesting hollow in a nearby tree.

Because they are strictly nocturnal, a 'No-Glow' infrared flash is essential. Standard 'Low-Glow' LEDs produce a faint red light that can spook these shy mammals, causing them to alter their routes or stay hidden. Set your camera to record video clips (15-20 seconds) rather than just stills. Their movements are fascinating, and because they often sit still for long periods while feeding, a single photo might miss the action or look like a mossy knot on a branch.

If you are setting a camera in a backyard or suburban garden, focus on mature indigenous trees like the Yellowwood or Cape Fig. They are creatures of habit and will often use the same 'branch highway' every night. Avoid using food bait, as they are very selective eaters; instead, focus on placement near their natural travel routes. Check your camera every few weeks, but try to minimize your scent profile near the tree, as they have a keen sense of smell and may avoid the area if it feels high-traffic.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Southern Tree Hyrax.

Rock Hyrax

Lives in rocky outcroppings rather than trees and lacks the conspicuous hair on its ears.

Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax

Smaller in size with a distinct yellow or orange patch on its back and a more gregarious, social nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Southern Tree Hyrax is strictly nocturnal. They typically emerge from their tree hollows shortly after sunset and remain active throughout the night, with peak activity for feeding and calling occurring between 8 PM and 4 AM.
The best way to attract them is to preserve mature, indigenous trees and minimize outdoor light pollution at night. They require dense canopy cover and natural hollows for nesting. They are not easily lured by traditional bird or mammal feeders.
They are herbivores that primarily eat leaves, buds, and twigs. They are quite selective, often favoring the new growth of specific forest trees, and will occasionally supplement their diet with wild fruits or berries.
Yes, they can be surprisingly common in leafy suburban neighborhoods that border forests or have many old-growth trees. However, because they are nocturnal and stay high in the trees, many residents never realize they are there until they hear their loud nighttime calls.
The easiest way to tell them apart is by habitat and ears. Southern Tree Hyraxes have hairy ears and live in trees, whereas Rock Hyraxes have 'naked' ears and live in rocky outcrops. Additionally, the Tree Hyrax has a white or cream dorsal spot, while the Rock Hyrax's spot is usually black or dark yellow.

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