|
Yellowbilled Hornbill
(Tocus leucomelas) |
Hornbills are particularly noted for
their unique nesting behaviour, which will begin once the first
rains have fallen in early summer to provide mud for the female to
close her nest in the tree. During the incubation period the male
feeds the female through the hole; she remains in the nest until it
becomes too crowded and then breaks out to assist the male in the
feeding of the chicks. |
| Guineafowl
(Numida meleagris) |
The Helmeted Guineafowl
is a large bird with a round
body and small head. The body is grey-black spangled with white.
Like other guineafowl, this species has an unfeathered head, in this
case decorated with a dull yellow or reddish bony knob, and red and
blue patches of skin. The helmeted
guineafowl is capable of strong flight, but it is mainly terrestrial
often choosing to run rather than fly^.
They spend most of their daylight hours searching for food.
During the daytime, they stay on the ground walking around in
flocks, but fly into the trees in evening to find safety from the
many carnivores. |
| Impala
(Aepyceros
melampus) |
As a mixed feeder of grass and leaves,
impala are the most abundant antelope in the area. Impala are
gregarious, occuring in either heards of females and sub-adult males,
or as bachelor herds of adult-males. Towards the end of the rains in
summer, the structure of the herds change. Rival rams clash
agressively and during this time their roaring can be heard far away.
They feed on
grasses and shrubs and always stay fairly near water. They are often
found in association with herds of other animals, such as zebras and
Wildebeest.
The female impala does not have horns and she is much smaller
than the male. The impala’s sense of sight, hearing, and smell are
extraordinary. |
| Blesbok
(Damaliscus dorcas
phillipsi) |
A characteristic of the blesbok is
the prominent white blaze on the face and a horizontal brown strip
which divides this blaze above the eyes.
Blesbok are territorial, with a
social structure consisting of bachelor herds, and breeding herds
consisting of a dominant male with his females. This tireless,
nimble-footed athlete of the grasslands is particularly possesive
towards his harem. The Blesbok gets its name
from the Afrikaans for blaze/bald ('bles'): a
reference to the prominant white blaze on the forehead. |
| Blue
Wildebeest
(Connochaetes taurinus) |
The dark silver-grey body is marked
with dark vertical bands on the front quarters. Blue wildebeest are
characterised by a long black mane and a beard of hair hanging from
the throat and neck. Both sexes grow shoft curved horns.
Exceptionally inquisitive, blue wildebeest
often stand and stare at an intruder, before suddenly
turning round and galloping off. Blue
wildebeest are tough and although normally timid, will fight
ferociously when cornered. A single calf is born, usually between
December and January. The young stay close to their mothers, who
will suckle only their own calf .
The wildebeest often grazes with zebras. |
| Red
Hartebeest
(Alcelaphus buselaphus) |
The Red Hartebeest is a large, redish
antelope with a sloping back and narrow face. Both sexes have
heavili ringed horns.
Of the 12 sub-species found in Africa, the Red Hartebeest is the
only one which occurs in South Africa.
Preferring open country, hartebeest are found
predominantly on grassland, floodplains, semi desert savanna and
occasionally in open woodland. Hartebeest
are more active during the cool temperatures of early morning and
evening and during cold winter days will remain active for most of
the day. |
| Ostrich
(Struthio camelus) |
Ostriches
are the largest living birds in the world. Native to Africa,
ostriches are flightless, and are very well adapted to desert life,
getting water from the plants they eat. These
huge birds, which sometimes reach a height of 2.6 m and
a weight of 135 kg, cannot fly, but are very fast
runners. Ostriches use their wings for
aggressive display and courtship rituals. Males have contrasting
bright white and black plumage. Females' plumage is grey and drab. |
| Burchell's
Zebra
(Equus burchelli) |
Body stripes are less numerous and
broader than that of the Cape Mountain Zebra, whereas body striped
extend around the belly. The Burchell's Zebra lives in small family
units, which typically consist of one stallion and one mare with
their foals. Non-breeding stallions occurs in bachelor groups.
Zebras are one
of the most successful herbivores in Africa because of their
adaptation to many different kinds of grassland habitats.
Zebras can generally be seen with wildebeest
in habitats where both animals depend on the same food and water
sources. Burchell's zebra are both diurnal
and nocturnal, but are usually more active during the day. |
|
Black-backed Jackal
(Canis
mesomelas)
|
The
jackal, a medium-sized carnivore with doglike features and a bushy
tail, is widely distributed in Africa. The
black-backed jackal is easily recognized by the mantle of black hair
on the back that contrasts with the rust-colored body. The black
mantle is streaked with white and from a distance has a silvery
appearance. Black-backed jackals often
confine most of their activities to nighttime and
have been successful in adapting to changing environments.
Jackals can best be described as opportunistic omnivores.
They hunt small or young antelopes and also
eat snakes and other reptiles, insects, ground-dwelling birds,
fruits, berries and grass. |
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