Lovian dassie

The Lovian dassie (Hyrax lovensis) is a medium-sized terrestrial mammal, superficially resembling a guinea pig with short ears and tail. The species is found across Lovia but the population is more dense on Kings and the southernmost islands of Seven. The Lovian dassie typically lives in groups of up to forty animals. Their most striking behaviour is their docile nature: a dassie hardly ever runs away because he has very few natural enemies. When people first came to Lovia they hunted down the dassies which were considered to be funny and naive creatures. There number dropped drastically but the Lovian authorities soon enough realized they had to save this unique animal. The dassie became a protected animal and over the years their population has grown back to normal.

Physiology and behavior
An adult dassie can reach a length of 50cm and weighs around 4 kilos. The males are approximately 10% heavier than the females. Their fur is thick and grey-brown of color. Prominent and apparently unique to the dassie is its dorsal gland, which excretes an odour used for social communication and territorial marking. The gland is most clearly visible with the dominant males. The head of the rock hyrax is pointed, having a short neck with rounded ears. They have long black whiskers and a prominent pair of long, pointed upper teeth. The soles of the feet have large, soft pads that are kept moist with sweat-like secretions. The body temperature of the dassie varies with a daily rhythm to ensure that it stays hydrated.

Dassies feed on a wide variety of different plants including grasses. Sometimes they eat small insects too. The animals forage for food up to about 50 metres from their refuge, usually feeding as a group. Lovian dassies are able to go for many days without water due to the moisture they obtain through their food. Despite their seemingly clumsy build they are able to climb trees. Rock hyraxes are very noisy and sociable. Adults make use of at least 21 different vocal signals. The most distinct sound is a loud grunting while moving its jaws as if chewing. The rock hyrax spends approximately 95% of its time resting.