Rock Hyrax: Being Helpful

Rock Hyrax (Rock Dassie): Being Helpful

Moving with great agility among the rocks, Rock Hyrax has feet that act like suction cups. Often seen sunning Himself on the rocks, He spends a lot of his time in large huddles with other Hyraxes. What makes Rock Hyrax unusual among Mammals is that He will share his rocks with Bush Dassie. These two Animals can be seen using the same sleeping areas as well. (Only Forest Monkeys will share their trees with other Monkeys.) Rock Hyrax grazes on grasses, while Bush Hyrax feeds on trees and bushes.

For such a small Animal, Mother Rock Hyrax has a very long pregnancy– about seven months. (Scientists believe that Rock Hyrax was once the size of an Ox, hence the long pregnancy.) Another unusual aspect of Mother Rock Hyrax’s life is the ‘dassie kindergarten’. While the other Mothers forage for food, one Mother Rock Hyrax will watch over Everyone’s Youngsters in a kindergarten.

In spite of being so unusual, Rock Hyrax has been apart of people’s lives for a long time. Described in Jewish and Christian Scriptures, as ‘Coney’ or ‘Rock Badger’, He referred to as ‘an unclean animal’. However, Rock Hyrax produces large quantities of hyraceum (dung and urine mixture), to make into epilepsy medicine for people today.

Rock Hyrax demonstrates how to be helpful. He shares his home with Bush Hyrax. Through his efforts, people with epilepsy have medicine. Meanwhile Mother Rock Hyrax runs a “day care” center for her Friends. These are examples in real helpfulness.

Wisdom of Rock Hyrax Includes:
Caring for Children
Sharing
“Live and Let Live”

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Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008

From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:

Finding Your Animal Teachers

Animals For Everyone: Mammals

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