They live in colonies of 50 or so in natural crevices of rocks or bolders. They are active in the daytime and can be seen feeding or sunning themselves near the entrances to their shelters. Hyrax vocalizations include twitters, growls, whistles and shrieks. One group will answer the contact calls of another group. The raucous nocturnal shriek of the tree hyrax is most impressive, starting as a squeak or whistle, then rising to a piglike squeal and finally to a child's scream.
Hyraxes do most of their screaming as they ascend or descend trees during the night.
The tree hyrax is nocturnal and not as social as the rock hyraxes. They are often found in pairs and do not form much larger groups. Although naturally shy, hyraxes in captivity become quite tame. Their habits of using latrines and eating a variety of vegetative material make them easy to keep. They have been recorded as living as long 12 years.