Rock hyraxes, often called “dassies,” are small, fuzzy animals found in southern Africa. They have short legs, a stocky body, and no visible tails. These creatures are known for lounging on rocky outcrops, soaking up the sun. Sometimes, they drag their bottoms along the ground, a behavior that can puzzle observers. This action, while common in dogs when dealing with parasites, has no clear explanation for hyraxes, though it does leave noticeable marks in sandy areas.
At the African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience, researchers have been busy studying ancient traces, some dating back 400,000 years. They focus on fossilized footprints found in areas known as aeolianites, formed during the Pleistocene epoch, a period that lasted until about 11,700 years ago. Recently, two fascinating finds emerged: a fossilized track site and a unique butt-drag impression, possibly containing fossilized droppings.
The track site, located near Walker Bay, is estimated to be around 76,000 years old. In a remarkable find, the butt-drag impression is thought to be about 126,000 years old, marking it as the first of its kind recorded globally. These discoveries offer a glimpse into the past, revealing how animals like hyraxes interacted with their environment.
To understand these fossils better, researchers use optically stimulated luminescence. This technique reveals when materials like sand were last exposed to light, helping to date the ancient traces. The butt-drag impression measures roughly 95 cm long and 13 cm wide, featuring five parallel lines that indicate it was left by something being dragged across loose sand.
While contemplating other possible causes for the drag mark, including leopards or ancient humans, researchers leaned towards the hyrax explanation. If a hyrax made the drag mark, it would have occurred after it left tracks, which would likely have been erased in the process. This intriguing feature could even be an example of coprolite, or fossilized hyrax droppings.
Hyraxes don’t just leave tracks; they also produce significant amounts of urine and dung. Their urine, high in calcium carbonate, forms white, stone-like deposits on rock surfaces. Due to their social behavior, these animals often use the same spots for years, building up layers that can reveal a wealth of information about the environment over thousands of years.
The term “hyraceum” describes a mixture of hyrax urine and dung that forms a cement-like substance, used in traditional medicine to treat ailments such as epilepsy. This ancient substance is not only a cultural artifact but may also provide insights into past climates and ecosystems, as it accumulates biological evidence over time.
Interestingly, fossilized urine is termed “urolite,” and hyraxes are significant contributors to this phenomenon. At paleontology conferences, it’s common to see humor surrounding coprolites and urolites, highlighting the unique nature of studying ancient animal behavior.
Understanding these fascinating creatures and their traces changes how we view them. They are not just animals but key players in deciphering the story of life on Earth during the Pleistocene. The combination of their tracks, droppings, and the geological context provides a rich narrative that enhances our understanding of prehistoric environments.
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