Call of the tree hyrax (Dassie)

[Dinosaur]

One thing that I do miss from Kenya, is the call of the tree hyrax, the attached you tube audio clip is close, but just doesn't really capture how loud that they really are.

When I first heard them after dark at my uncles house at Nairobi, I was truly astounded at such a loud scary noise coming from a small rodent like creature. Firstly you hear clicking which gets louder and louder, and louder, then a noise like someone trying to start a chain saw, then an extremely loud scream that shrieks like a lady being raped, it is absolutely unreal, To top it off, there are groups of the hyrax's competing with each other.

Here's a mild sample of a tree Hyrax call from You Tube:

Regards
Rob

 

[Boela]

Very interesting Rob.
It is quite surprising to see how many seasoned hunters even know of their existence, never mind having actually seen one.

 

[Ridge Runner]

Never heard them, but while we were driving around Port Alfred, my PH, pointed them out, saying they are considered a nuisance.

 

[CBH Australia]

Interesting, they pointed out Rock hyrax where I was. The info at Addo says that Rock Hyrax are the closest relative of the Elephant but I don’t see that, research time