What does dassie mean?
A dassie is a small, stout, tailless mammal found across much of Africa and parts of the Middle East, known scientifically as the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis). Roughly the size of a rabbit, it has short ears, dense brownish-grey fur, and rubbery padded feet adapted for gripping rocky surfaces, where it typically lives in colonies. Although its appearance suggests a large rodent or a relative of rabbits — hence the alternative name 'rock rabbit' — the dassie belongs to an entirely separate order, Hyracoidea, whose closest living relatives are surprisingly elephants and sirenians such as manatees. The word is chiefly Southern African in use, being the standard everyday name for the animal in South Africa and neighbouring countries, while 'rock hyrax' predominates internationally. Dassies are frequently seen basking on boulders and cliffs in places like Table Mountain National Park, making them one of the region's most familiar and endearing small mammals.
nounA dassie is a small, tailless mammal native to Africa and the Middle East, also known as a rock hyrax (Procavia capensis), which despite its rodent-like appearance is most closely related to elephants and manatees.
- A small, furry, tailless mammal (Procavia capensis) found in rocky areas of Africa and the Middle East; also called the rock hyrax or rock rabbit.
"A dassie basked on the sun-warmed rocks at the top of Table Mountain."
"We spotted a dassie sunning itself on the granite outcrop near Cape Point."
"Dassies may look like oversized guinea pigs, but their closest living relatives are elephants and sea cows."
The regular plural 'dassies' is standard in Southern African English.
"Colonies of dassies could be heard chirping among the rocks at dusk."
The humble dassie, scurrying over African boulders, is the closest living land relative of the elephant — its nearest kin include manatees and dugongs.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dassie
The word 'dassie' comes from Afrikaans 'das', meaning badger, which was applied by Dutch settlers to this animal; the diminutive form reflects its smaller size compared with the European badger. It entered English through South African usage. The Afrikaans term ultimately derives from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German sources referring to the badger.
How dassie is actually used
The word is chiefly used in South African English and other Southern African varieties, where it is the everyday term for the animal. In formal scientific or international contexts, 'rock hyrax' is more common. The plural can be either 'dassies' or occasionally 'dassie'.
Easily confused with dassie
A daisy is a common flowering plant, whereas a dassie is a rock-dwelling mammal related to the elephant.