Rock Hyraxes have short, rather coarse grayish-brown coats with lighter color flanks and cream colored underbelly. A black dorsal patch covers a scent gland. This little mammal is about 20 inches long and weighs six to seven pounds. Their bodies are plump with short, thin legs and a rudimentary tail. Their heads are thick and pointed with short, rounded ears and long black whiskers on their muzzles.
Males have four razor sharp, interlocking tusks which they use in defense.
Hyraxes' forefeet have four toes, their hind feet, three. Their flat nails resemble hoofs, and the inner toe on each hind foot is smaller. Sweat glands and special muscles in the feet work almost like suction cups for climbing and gripping surfaces. Rock hyraxes live in isolated communities primarily throughout central Africa, although some colonies can be found throughout northeast Africa, Israel and Syria. They live in rocky, scrub-covered areas, sheltering under rocks, in crevices, or by digging burrows.