Dendrohyrax validus, True, 1890

Don E. Wilson & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2011, Procaviidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 2 Hoofed Mammals, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 41-47 : 47

5.

Eastern Tree Hyrax

Dendrohyrax validus

French: Daman du Kilimanjaro / German: Ostlicher Baumschliefer / Spanish: Daman arboricola oriental

Other common names: Tree Dassie

Taxonomy. Dendrohyrax validus True, 1890 ,

Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Three subspecies have been described.

Subspecies and Distribution.

D.v.validusTrue,1890—NTanzania(MtKilimanjaroandMtMeru).

D.v.neumanniMatschie,1893—TanzaniaIs(Pemba,Zanzibar,Tumbatu,Wete,Fundu&Mwana-mwana).

D. v. terricola Mollison, 1905 — Eastern Arc Mountains from S Kenya (Taita Hills) to S Tanzania (Pare, Usambara, Uluguru, Udzungwa & Rubeho Mts), also Kenya and Tanzania coast.

Descriptive notes. Head-body length 32-60 cm; weight 1.7-3 kg. As with the other tree hyraxes, Eastern Tree Hyraxes are small, robust animals with bodies shaped like large guinea pigs. Males and females are approximately the same size. Pelage is long, dense, and soft. Color varies greatly. The dorsal pelage is cinnamon-brown darkening to dusky-brown or black, especially around the head. The dorsal spot is pale to dark yellow, with hairs 20-40 mm long. One pair of inguinal mammae. The crowns of the molars are short with long roots (brachydont dentition). In males the anus—preputial opening distance is 2-5 cm. The penis is short, simply built, and slightly curved. The calls of D. validus vary by locality, falling into three “call zones”: the offshore islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, southern mountains (Uluguru, Udzungwa, and Rubeho), and northern mountains (Taita Hills, Pare, and Usambara).

Habitat. Evergreen forests up to about 3500 m. On the Kenya coast they live in the fossil reef area close to the shore.

Food and Feeding. Herbivorous, browse on leaves, buds, twigs, and fruits from forbs and trees year-round. Occasionally feed on the ground on herbs and soft vines. Light feeding may occur during the day, but most feeding occurs at dusk and just before dawn.

Breeding. Little known on the reproductive biology. Gestation 220-240 days, 1-2 young per litter.

Activity patterns. Tree hyraxes are nocturnal, with activity peaks shortly after sunset and before sunrise. Their loud whistling calls can be heard throughout the night, with peak periods just after dusk and before dawn. No significant differences were noted in calling frequency over an eight-month period from July to March. Predators include Leopards (Panthera pardus), genets (Genetta spp.), Palm Civets (Nandinia binotata), Servals (Leptailurus serval), African Civets (Civettictis civetta), crowned hawk-eagles (Stephanoaetus coronatus), and African rock pythons (Python sebae).

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Primarily solitary. Individuals nest, forage, and travel alone but maintain contact via calls and scent marking. Population densities on Mount Kilimanjaro were 7-23 animals/ha. Like other tree hyrax species, Eastern Tree Hyraxes usually defecate and urinate in middens at the bases of trees. White stains from their urine, which is rich in calcium carbonate, can be seen on the walls of cave entrances in Kenya.

Status and Conservation. Eastern Tree Hyraxes are currently classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List. Some populations are threatened by severe forest destruction or fragmentation and by hunting. Eastern Tree Hyraxes are easily trapped using a snare set at the base of a tree. They may also be clubbed, speared, or run down by dogs after being smoked out or following the felling of a den, and can be extracted from holes using a stick or spear. Hunting was banned in Tanzania in 1973; howeverit still continues. They are trapped for their meat and pelts to make hyrax blankets, which can still be bought in Moshi and Arusha, Tanzania.

Bibliography. Bothma (1971), Burgess etal. (2000), Estes (1991), Fischer (1992), Hahn (1934), Hoeck (1978c), Kingdon (1971, 1997), Kundaeli, (1976), Schlitter (1993), Seibt et al. (1977), Topp-Jorgensen & Pedersen (2001).

Figures

1. Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis), 2. Bush Hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei), 3. Western Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis), 4. Southern Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax arboreus), 5. Eastern Tree Hyrax (Dendrohyrax validus)

Subspecies and Distribution. D.v.validusTrue,1890—NTanzania(MtKilimanjaroandMtMeru). D.v.neumanniMatschie,1893—TanzaniaIs(Pemba,Zanzibar,Tumbatu,Wete,Fundu&Mwana-mwana). D. v. terricola Mollison, 1905 — Eastern Arc Mountains from S Kenya (Taita Hills) to S Tanzania (Pare, Usambara, Uluguru, Udzungwa & Rubeho Mts), also Kenya and Tanzania coast.