Habitat use and ranging behaviour of tree hyrax, Dendrohyrax arboreus, in the Virunga Volcanoes, Rwanda

Habitat use and ranging behaviour of tree hyrax were investigated by radio-tracking in the Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda. Individuals were predominantly arboreal and showed a daily pattern of vertical movement, being found highest in the canopy at night. Hyrax often spent the night in tree cavities and spent the day resting on branches. Habitat use is discussed in terms of thermoregulation and predator avoidance. Tree selection, modelled by logistic regression analysis, was most influenced by shelter properties. These criteria were best satisfied by large, cavity-forming Hagenia abyssinica , which were preferentially used. Tree hyrax population density was potentially limited by the availability of shelter. Home ranges were identified by minimum convex polygons for ten individuals. Total area and number of trees used were positively correlated with body mass, whilst the core area was negatively correlated with tree density. Ranges were not stable over the 4-month tracking period. There was considerable overlap of core areas between individuals. Core areas of mature males encompassed those of several females but no evidence of adult male range overlap was found. Female core areas tended to overlap with individuals of different ages. Male–female pair bonds were observed but the commonest association was parent–offspring.