Personal Notes The Dassie Rat I have collected at Garries, Namaqualand, and Springbok Namaqualand. They are difficult to trap as they prefer their natural food to any bait. Rocky ledges, cliffs, and boulders are their favorite habitat. They sun themselves on the rocks and feed on succulent vegetation. The Dassie Rat seems to have certain ledges where they leave their dung. The nests are made of grass and sticks built under rocks. During the day they are about. At noonday they usually take cover from the hot sun. When they move, the move fast, giving one little time for a shot. They are extremely shy creatures. Often they get caught between cracks in rocks while trying to escape. Their tails have a tendency to creak off easily. About half the specimens I've seen had their tails broken off giving them the appearance of small lizards. Their skin is delicate and falls apart when you try to skin them.