THE FEEDING BEHAVIOUR OF BOCK HYRACES (genera PROCAVIA and HETEROHYRAX) IN KENYA

Abstract

The paper is based on field observations and studies of a captive colony.

A record of rapid Holocene climate change preserved in hyrax middens from southwestern Africa

“…As a result of hyraxes' wide dietary preferences (Hoeck, 1975), restricted range (Sale, 1965), and the relatively long periods of time incorporated into each subsample, a spatio-temporal averaging exists that reduces the impact of the signifi cant interannual and intraannual climatic variability that is characteristic of dryland environments. This has the benefi cial effect of buffering the isotopic signals from the extremes observed in studies of modern ecosystems, facilitating the identifi cation of long-term trends while still allowing for detailed paleoenvironmental reconstructions.…”

Holocene palaeoenvironments of the Cederberg and Swartruggens mountains, Western Cape, South Africa: Pollen and stable isotope evidence from hyrax dung middens

“…Indeed, hyrax middens may provide an ideal archive for the study of stable isotopes as environmental proxies, with issues of spatial and temporal variability being controlled for by hyraxes' wide dietary preferences (cf. Hoeck, 1975), restricted range (Sale, 1965), and the long periods of time incorporated into each six mm sample (approximately 100 years at KB and 450 years at TK). While the averaging effect of these factors is in some ways limiting in terms of the resolution of the data that can be obtained, it also reduces the 'noise' created by outlying samples and extreme climatic trends or weather events.…”

Regulation of Body Temperature in the Rock Hyrax, Heterohyrax brucei

“…They can easily avoid heat stress by remaining underground except during their feeding periods which are extremely restricted-as little as half an hour per day (Sale, 1965). The fossil record indicates that the evolution of hyracoids has been confined to Africa, and at the present time all occur in tropical and warm temperate areas.…”