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Blesbok
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. |
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Blue
Wildebeest
Blouwildebees
(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. |
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Red
Hartebeest
Rooihartebees
(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. |
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Burchell's
Zebra
Bontsebra
(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. |
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Impala
Rooibok
(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. |
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Common Duiker
Gewone duiker
(Sylvicapra
grimmia) |
The
smallest southern African antelope.It
is most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon, even
extending into the night. It becomes more nocturnal if hunted or
disturbed. The Duiker normally rests in the cover of bushes or dense
grass. It normally eats trees and bushes, but also fruit, pods,
seeds, roots, bark and flowers. They are independant of water as
long as there is green food available. They are solitary animals (or
a female with a lamb), and are rarely seen in male-femal pairs. They
run with a distinct zig-zag motion, hence the name. |
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Kudu
Koedoe
(Tragelaphus
Strepsiceros) |
The
Kudu can best described as tall and majestic. They
have six to ten narrow white stripes across the back and down the
flank, and a narrow white line accross the face just before the eyes.
Only the males have the distinct horns with wide spirals along their
length. They prefer
savanna and grassland including rocky areas. They are
independant of water as long as there is green food available.
They are most active early in the morning and late in the afternoon,
and becomes more nocturnal if hunted. |
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Steenbok
Steenbok
(Raphicerus
Campestris) |
The steenbok is reddish brown with white on the
underparts, with very large ears and a short tail of the same colour
as the top of the body. Only the males have horns. They
prefer grassland with tall grass for cover and open woodland. They
are independant of water as long as there is green food available.
They eat grass and also leaves, berries, fruit and pods. They are
active during the day and night. They are mostly solitary and
seldom seen in pairs. They hide from predators by lying in thick
cover and runs away if approached by making long leaps every few
paces. |
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Warthog
Vlakvark
(Phacochoerus
aethiopicus)
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They have short compact bodies with a head tapering
to a blunt snout. On both sides of the head, beneath the eyes are
prominent lumps, the so-called warts. The canine teeth form
prominent tusks which grows outwards and curves over the snout.
They have thin tailes with a tuft at its tip which is carried
upwards when the warthog runs. They prefer open woodland and
grasslands. The warthog eats mostly grass but also eats seeds ,
roots and underground stems. They are usually active during the day
but also a little active duing the night. They normally find shelter
in large holes, during the midday they lie in shade. |
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Black-backed Jackal
Rooijakkals
(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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Scrub Hare
Kolhaas
(Lepus saxatilis) |
Hares are long-legged fast runners and their young
are born fully-furred, mobile and with all their senses developed.
The scrub hare is greyish with fine black speckles and the
underparts are pure white. They have fluffy tails that are black on
top and white underneath. They have large eyes and very large ears.
They are found in savanna woodland and mixed grassland. Tehy
are active from dusk to dawn and rest during the day. When pursued
by a predator the hare runs straight until the predator is very
close and then dodges suddenly to the side. |
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