Rock hyraxes—often called “dassies” in southern Africa—are small, furry mammals with compact bodies, short legs, and barely visible tails. They spend much of their time basking on rocky outcrops under the sun. One curious behavior they display is dragging their rear ends across the ground. Dog owners may associate this habit with parasites, but for hyraxes the reason remains uncertain. Still, this behavior leaves distinctive markings in sandy areas that can persist for ages. Unearthing Fossilized Hyrax Tracks At the African Centre for Coastal Palaeoscience, researchers with the Cape South Coast Ichnology Project study fossilized footprints and trace fossils to reconstruct prehistoric ecosystems. Over several decades, scientists have identified nearly 400 vertebrate tracksites along South Africa’s southern coast—some dating back 400,000 years. These sites are preserved in ancient Pleistocene aeolianites, or wind-formed cemented dunes, which reveal how animals and plants once lived. Among the latest discoveries are two extraordinary fossilized traces that appear to belong to rock hyraxes. One shows a series of footprints, while the other displays a clear butt-drag impression, possibly with a fossilized dropping embedded within it. The first site, near Walker Bay, is about 76,000 years old. The second, found east of Still Bay, dates back roughly 126,000 years—and represents the world’s first fossilized hyrax butt-drag ever documented. This makes it not only a scientific curiosity but also the only known evidence of fossilized hyrax tracks anywhere. “Anything this unusual is invaluable to paleontology,” the researchers explained. “We feel privileged to interpret these traces from deep time.” Decoding the Drag Mark Dating was performed through optically stimulated luminescence, a technique that determines when sand grains were last exposed to sunlight. The butt-drag impression measures 95 centimeters long and 13 centimeters wide, with five parallel striations and slightly raised edges. A small, elevated feature inside the mark—possibly a coprolite (fossilized feces)—suggests something was indeed dragged across loose sand. Researchers considered alternative explanations: a leopard or early human dragging prey, or even an elephant’s trunk. Yet none of these could explain the raised feature. If a hyrax made it, however, the evidence fits perfectly. The animal’s hindquarters would have erased its footprints, leaving the smooth drag mark behind, and the raised lump could easily be fossilized dung. Ancient Dung, Urine, and Urolites Hyraxes leave far more than tracks. Their preference for rocky habitats means their footprints are rare, but they polish rock surfaces smooth—similar to the “buffalo rubbing stones” of North America. They also leave behind urine and dung deposits rich in urea, electrolytes, and calcium carbonate, which harden into pale, cement-like layers. Over generations, their communal habits lead to large accumulations of this material. These deposits, known as hyraceum, are tarry, rock-like masses formed from compacted urine and droppings. Hyraceum can be tens of thousands of years old and has long been used in traditional medicine for ailments such as epilepsy and gynecological issues. Because hyraceum traps pollen and environmental data, it serves as a natural archive of ancient ecosystems and climates. Scientists now view hyraceum and even fossilized urine—called urolite—as valuable trace fossils in their own right. At paleontology conferences, T-shirts joke that “coprolite happens.” In southern Africa, perhaps the saying should be: “urolite happens.” Through studying butt-drag traces, urolites, coprolites, and hyraceum, scientists gain fresh insight into the Pleistocene environment and the behavior of these fascinating mammals. The research reminds us that even the smallest creatures can leave a lasting mark on Earth’s history. Article by Charles Helm and Lynne Quick, Nelson Mandela University. Mathilde Stuart contributed to the research. Republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. What do you think of this discovery? Share your thoughts below or on social media to spread the latest insights in science, paleontology, technology, and innovation!