Common name: Rock Hyrax
Scientific name: Procavia capensis
Family: Procaviidae

Size:
Body length: 30–60 cm
Weight: 2–5 kg

Identification:
A small, stocky mammal with a rounded body, short legs, and almost no visible tail. Its fur is dense, typically brown to grey, often with a lighter underside. The ears are small and rounded, and the eyes are prominent. Despite its rodent-like appearance, it is more closely related to elephants and manatees. It has rubbery pads on its feet that provide excellent grip on rocky surfaces.

Habitat:
Rocky outcrops, cliffs, mountains, and boulder fields. Strongly associated with areas that provide crevices and shelter.

Status in Lebanon:
Native and locally common. Found in mountainous and rocky regions.

Diet:
Herbivorous — feeds on grasses, leaves, shoots, and other vegetation.

Behavior:
Diurnal and social. Often seen basking on rocks in groups. Uses a network of crevices for shelter. Has a complex system of vocal communication. Relies on vigilance and quick movement to escape predators. Plays an important ecological role as a herbivore and as prey for larger predators.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)