May 18, 2025, 12:46 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
It looks like a mix between a marmot, a capybara, and a stuffed animal. And when it opens its mouth, it sounds like someone loudly calling for their mother while waiting in line at a government office. The hyrax, also known as the rock rabbit, is transforming from a zoological underdog into a viral social media sensation—thanks to a scream you can’t forget.
For several months now, social media has been buzzing with the grumbling sound of the hyrax—also known as the rock hyrax. It all started with a video capturing a small animal in its burrow, scolding like a fishwife. Whether you hear “Wawa” or “Mama” in the recording, anyone who has heard the hyrax’s cry and seen the memes about the grumpy creature can’t resist its unique charm.
From Rock to Feed – What Exactly Is a Hyrax?
It looks like an overweight guinea pig on safari. Its teeth resemble miniature elephant tusks. And when it opens its mouth, it sounds like someone is pushing a squeaky door through a megaphone. May we introduce? The hyrax. Also known as the rock or tree hyrax. And recently, a TikTok and Instagram star.
We’ve seen several animal internet stars: Grumpy Cat, dancing kakapos, or seagulls with dramatic zooms. But the hyrax brings a new, almost anti-aesthetic touch to the table: cute appearance meets acoustic madness. And perhaps that’s exactly what makes it so relatable to many—a bit like all of us on a Monday morning when the coffee machine has just given up. Feel free to listen to how it sounds in the video:
“MAMAAA!” – The Call That Changed Everything
The viral “Mama” scream is likely a so-called alarm call—used by young hyraxes to warn other group members of predators and intruders. Or, honestly: Maybe it was just really hungry and tired of being filmed.
Since the upload of the first footage of the animal affectionately called “Wawa,” more and more memes and humorous videos featuring a hyrax in the starring role have appeared. Under the hashtags “Wawa” and “Hyrax,” you’ll find numerous videos with titles like: “When Mom comes into the room and doesn’t close the door again” or “When you’re next in line at the supermarket, but your husband has the money and spontaneously decides to grab some beer.”
What becomes a running gag on social media has been a fascinating field of study for behavioral researchers for years. Hyraxes are among the few non-primate animals that use vocal syntax—sound sequences with recognizable patterns and meanings. Some males use up to 21 different sound types in a single call sequence. Some have even been observed starting to sing when they hear their offspring screaming. 1
Hyrax Is Related to Elephants, Not Rodents
But aside from a seemingly grumpy scream, the hyrax is fascinating. As mentioned earlier, it is actually most closely related to elephants and also manatees. They share a common ancestor that lived about 50 million years ago. So, despite its appearance, it is not a rodent.
There are several species of hyrax, including the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) and its close relative, the yellow-spotted hyrax (Heterohyrax brucei), which primarily live in rocky, sandy areas of Africa. The tree hyraxes, on the other hand, have adapted to life in wooded areas. There are four different types: the Southern, Eastern, Western, and Benin Dendrohyrax.
All share common anatomical features such as small tusks (the upper incisors), foot soles with glands that provide better grip on rocks or bark, and a similar digestive system designed for a plant-based diet—their large teeth are used for digging rather than hunting. Hyraxes, however, are much more manageable than their trunk-bearing cousins, with a maximum body length of 60 cm and a weight of four kilograms.
Their thermoregulation is also curious: Hyraxes cannot maintain a constant body temperature well. They are more cold-blooded than one would expect for a mammal. That’s why you often see them sunbathing on rocks—essentially as furry solar panels.
Do Crocodiles Lure People in Indonesia with This Trick?
Female Dog Carries Sick Puppy to Veterinary Clinic – Expert Analyzes Viral Video
This Musician Sings for Animals and Became an Internet Star
Why We Love the Hyrax
The hyrax may be an evolutionary curiosity—but it shows us that you don’t have to be beautiful or exotic to go viral. You just have to sound like you’ve just had vinegar in your coffee.
In a world full of perfectly styled Insta-cats and elegant dog filters, the hyrax appears as a counterpoint: clumsy, loud, a bit overwhelmed—and that’s exactly why it’s so darn likable.
Tree and rock hyraxes are prime examples of how much animals can fascinate us—especially when they don’t meet our expectations. What looks like a hissing plush toy with a midlife crisis turns out, upon closer inspection, to be a socially intelligent, vocally talented, and evolutionarily intriguing creature. And yes—also a viral gem.