Tree Hyrax (Tree Dassie): Setting Boundaries
One of the dominant arboreal Mammals in Africa is Tree Hyrax. Living high in the tree canopy, Tree Hyrax has a small area of the forest that is His, usually a single tree. Contorting his body, He navigates the “branch ways” of the rain forests with great agility. In the upper levels of the African jungles, He lives quite comfortably.
What people notice the most about Tree Hyrax is his screaming match with other Tree Hyraxes at night. Starting at dusk, He calls from his tree, using a low ringing sound. Repeating this sound, Tree Hyrax’s calls become louder and harsher. Finally, He screams out unearthly sounds, which resembles metal scraping against metal. Then silence falls in the jungle. After awhile, other Tree Dassies answer Him. As the night deepens, silence once again covers the forest.
Tree Hyrax screams out for all to hear, “This tree belongs to *ME*!” Then, Other Tree Hyraxes return with their screams, “This is *my* tree over here!” Together, They establish their boundaries without trouble.
Wisdom of Tree Hyrax Includes:
Being Agile
Effective Use of Screaming
“Walking on Air”
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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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Showing posts with label hyrax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hyrax. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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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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”
-----------------------
Copyright: Virginia Carper, Animal Teachers, 2008
From Universal Class, fun self-paced classes taught by me:
Finding Your Animal Teachers
Animals For Everyone: Mammals
--------------
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
From Out of Africa: Dassies (Hyraxes)
HYRAX (DASSIE) FAMILY (HYRACOIDEA)
Look Deeper
Often seen sunning Themselves on rocks, Hyraxes were first called by Europeans ‘rock rabbits’. In addition, Afrikaners named these Survivors of an ancient order of Mammals, ‘Dassies’, which means “Badger”. Eventually, biologists placed Hyraxes in their own order – Hyracoidea.
What are these confusing Mammals? Very adaptable Animals, Hyraxes live in habitats ranging from dry savanna to dense rainforest. There are three families of Hyraxes – Rock, Bush, and Tree. Among the rocks and brush, Rock and Bush Hyraxes live together and have Kindergartens for their young. Meanwhile, Tree Hyraxes are known for their screaming matches conducted at night.
What makes Hyraxes relatives to Elephants are their toes. Like Elephants, Hyraxes have toes tipped with rounded nails. Hyraxes have surprises that people find fascinating, defying everyone’s ideas about Elephants. These rabbit sized Animals with short tails and peculiar hind feet are the closest relatives to Elephants.
Look deeper counsels Hyraxes. Neither Rabbits nor Badgers, They are relatives of the mighty Elephant. Expand your knowledge and see beyond the surface.
Wisdom of Hyraxes Include:
Solving Puzzles
Be Surprised
Expand Your Horizons
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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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