Living in colonies from four to as many as 60 individuals, depending on the habitat, the basic family unit consists of one adult territorial male, several adult females and their young. The adult male is the leader and most watchful, often keeping guard on a high rock or branch while the others feed. Other males may live in bachelor groups of their own. Adults have over 21 different vocalizations for communicating with their young and the rest of the group. The most important sound is an alarm call when danger is approaching.
Hyraxes are active and quite agile, running up steep, smooth rock surfaces with ease.
They have a longevity of 10 to 12 years. Hyraxes have definite breeding periods that vary with the geographic location. After a gestation period from 205 to 245 days, females give birth in a protected rocky crevice to from one up to six young. Young are born fully covered with hair and eyes open. Sexual maturity occurs at about 16 to 17 months of ages.