Coney of the Rock

Coneys are small, rodent-like creatures that make their homes in dens and caves of the earth. First, they find a nice spot like a rock pile or even a clear patch of ground that meets certain classifications, such as shelter and lookout points, and then begin to dig. From there, they only stop when they have made for themselves a nice round den. There, the mother or father coney will begin calling to attract a mate. Once the mate has finally come, they decide to move in together. It's a joint decision, if you will. Though perhaps, having baby coneys is not since it is a more natural function and thus controlled by that as well. You know, it's governed by the basic biology of attraction and what makes an animal want a mate. For the coney, it's all about a certain call, the posturing, and gestures of course. This is often best done from atop a rock pile, as so many other things often are. Other functions of the coney involve guarding or of looking out across the landscape for predators. All these functions are performed by the parents in part and in whole. While these things are sometimes best done alone, often they work best in the company of others rather than in solitude.

In larger colonies, some stand lookout over the home territory while others forage for food and even keep the young. As the young grow, it is not at all uncommon to see them trotting along beside the grown-ups learning to hunt for food. At these times, hunting food is never difficult when you don't have far to go for grass. Grass and other plants make up the majority of the coney's diet. After a good meal, these will then store it chew on again later. That is what is meant by the phrase 'chewing the cud.' I'm sure it's not the most pleasant sensation, but nonetheless, some animals like cows and coneys derive a sort of pleasure from it. Its' closest relative would be the groundhog, which also likes to live in dens of the ground. Unlike the coney, the groundhog prefers less rocky soil. Therefore, they enjoy waking up next to their next meal, that nice juicy patch of grass. For them, their habits make having breakfast in bed very easy.

And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you.

Leviticus 11:5