The dassie rat (Petromus typicus) is an African rodent found among rocky outcroppings. It is the only living member of its genus, Petromus, and family, Petromuridae. The name "dassie" means "hyrax" in Afrikaans, [2] and the two animals are found in similar habitats.

Dassie rat, (Petromus typicus), a medium-sized rodent adapted to life among rocky outcrops in the desert hills and plateaus of southwestern Africa. The dassie rat weighs 170 to 300 grams (6 to 11 ounces) and has a squirrel-like body 14 to 21 cm …

The dassie rat (Petromus typicus) is an African rodent found among rocky outcroppings. It is the only living member of its genus, Petromus, and family, Petromuridae. The name "dassie" means "hyrax" in Afrikaans, and the two animals are found in similar habitats.

These cute, squirrel-like, long tailed rodents occur regularly and sometimes commonly in rocky areas within this vast swathe of desert and semi-desert land. What makes this creature rather sought-after is that it is the only surviving member of the family Petromuridae.

The rock rat or dassie rat is found in western South Africa, Namibia and southwestern Angola. (Heinemann, 1975) Biogeographic Regions; ethiopian. native; Habitat. Petromus typicus are generally found in crevices and rocky cavities of stony deserts. They live in the rocky areas of hills and mountains, where they rest and sun on warm rocks ...

May 6, 2012 · These cute, squirrel-like, long tailed rodents occur regularly and sometimes commonly in rocky areas within this vast swathe of desert and semi-desert land. What makes this creature rather sought-after is that it is the only surviving member of the family Petromuridae.

Petromus is a genus of hystricognath rodents that contains the dassie rat (Petromus typicus) of southwestern Africa, the only extant member of this group and the entire family Petromuridae.. Two fossil species are known from the Pliocene, with the oldest being Petromus antiquus of the Early Pliocene. [1]

Mar 5, 2025 · The dassie rat is found in the arid and semi-arid regions of southwestern Africa, inhabiting rocky outcrops, which explains its name. It has a squirrel-like body, medium length legs with clawed feet, short, rounded ears, a yellowish nose with long black whiskers, and a long, furry tail, distinguishing it from more common rodent types.

Petromuridae is a family of hystricognath rodents that contains the dassie rat (Petromus typicus) of southwestern Africa, the only extant member of this group.. The genus Petromus contains a couple of extinct species, [1] and additionally there are fossil genera formerly of the family Thryonomyidae that were found to belong to this family instead; Apodecter, Tufamys and …

In the rocky outcroppings of Namibia, Angola and northwest South Africa lives a large dirt-brown or duty grey rodent that strongly resembles a very large guinea pig with a fluffy tail. It’s called the rock rat or dassie rat ( Petromus typicus ).