The rock dassie (Procavia capensis) is a small, rodent-looking animal with dark brown-grey fur and short, stubby legs. Dassies spend much of their time basking in the warm sun, especially in the mornings and afternoons, and are commonly seen sitting in the morning sun on a Kruger Park safari.
Name
Rock Dassie [Procavia capensis]
Appearance
The Rock Dassie is a rather small rodent looking animal that has a dark brown-grey colour with a pointed face. It has small rounded ears and short stubby legs. The Rock Dassie is, strangely, a distant relative of the African Elephant. The foot structure and teeth are deduced to be in an evolutionary relationship with the African Elephant.
Diet
The Rock dassie is a vegetarian that feeds preferably on grass that appears during the wet seasons. When dry season hits, it will consume any plant material that is available. Plant matter that usually are toxic or poisonous can be eaten by dassies during areas of drought stress.
Breeding
Young are born after a gestation period of 7 months during the summer months. Litters contain 3 young. A single dominant male can monopolize up to 17 females in its area.
Behaviour
Dassies generally spend time basking in the warm sun, especially during the mornings and afternoons. Dassies are common prey for caracals, eagles and leopards. Dassies are commonly found in the mornings sitting in the sun during a Kruger Park Safari.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the rock dassie related to the elephant?
Yes — despite looking like a small rodent, the rock dassie shares an evolutionary relationship with the African elephant, a link deduced from its foot structure and teeth.
What do rock dassies eat?
Rock dassies are vegetarians that prefer grass that appears during the wet season. In the dry season they eat any plant material that is available, and during drought stress they can even eat plants that are usually toxic or poisonous.
How many babies does a rock dassie have?
Rock dassie litters contain 3 young, born during the summer months after a gestation period of 7 months. A single dominant male can monopolise up to 17 females in its area.
What animals prey on rock dassies?
Rock dassies are common prey for caracals, eagles and leopards. Dassies spend much of their time basking in the warm sun, especially in the mornings and afternoons.
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