For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Squirrels

We have only two types of squirrels here the Ground and the Tree Squirrel.

The Ground Squirrel, also known as the Cape Ground Squirrel, uses its tail as a sunshade, holding it in a bent position over its back while feeding. When the squirrel moves its tail up and down, this is an alarm signal to other members of the pack, and is accompanied by a long, drawn out whine, which functions as an alarm call. Colonies numbering up to 30 live in a complicated network of interconnecting burrows: they are poor climbers, and so remain mostly either on or under the ground. The warren may be shared with suricates or yellow mongooses, although the mongooses sometimes kill older ground squirrels.
They live in the drier parts of southern Africa, and are predominantly vegetarians; their diet, however, does include insects. They sunbathe with their bellies to the ground and all four legs stretched out. They dustbathe in the same way and every now and then scratch the sand all over their bodies before shaking it off. Small colonies consist of females and their offspring, with the female defending the territory against intruders. Males are accepted into this society only when a female is in heat. One or two young are born.
The Tree Squirrel is named because of its association with woodland, and its use of trees as resting places. They vary in colour throughout their distributional range, and are diurnal. A conspicuous feature of their behaviour when under threat is 'mobbing': all the members of the colony make harsh clicking sounds while they flick their tails, building up momentum and gradually getting louder. In some areas they are solitary, or are found in small family groups: a lone tree squirrel relies on its wits when in danger and always keeps a branch or the trunk of a tree between it and the enemy. This species regularly forages on the ground, looking for roots, grasses, leafbuds, berries and insects such as ants.
The Tree Squirrel is always alert, and when alarmed, it will run away with great speed, making for the nearest tree where it will lie motionless, flattened against a branch. The young (usually 1 to 3) are born in a tree hollow lined with leaves and grass. The young remain until they are strong enough to brave the outside world, which is usually about three weeks.
Tree Squirrels are diligent in their grooming and a mother tree squirrel will hold her offspring down with her forelegs while grooming the little animal with licks, nibbles and the use of her claws. Food brought back to the nest is reserved for the parents only, and the young have to learn to find solid food for themselves from the time they are weaned.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Jewel Beetle

Thanks Ted for supplying me with a name: Family Buprestidae (jewel beetles),

I think that this is one of the fuzzy Blister Beetle family. It is about 1 inch in length and rather cute looking. :)



Thursday, June 10, 2010

Leopard in Kruger Park

Leopard are very hard to spot especially at this distance which is usual. See if you can find him first before going on.....
....there he is, having an afternoon nap.
For more information on them, please follow this link: Leopard
He was so far away, I am surprised that I managed to get any pictures to show you.
Gaelyn and I were happy to see this one on the first day in Kruger National Park. What luck!!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Lions - Part 1

They have exceptionally rough tongues, and even at an early age are able to take the skin off your hand by licking it.
The females leave the pride to give birth and will not rejoin them until the cubs are about six weeks old. Litters average 2-4 cubs.
This is a white lion cub. It is neither an albino nor a separate species.
Although they do drink water regularly, they are not dependent on it as they derived their moisture from their food.
The lion, leopard and tiger have an elastic unossified hyoidean complex which allows the larynx a freedom of movement not found in other cats, which is bony. This permits them to utter much louder vocalizations, which, in the case of the lion, can be heard for long distances in the stillness of the night.
Lions are the largest of the African carnivores, the males standing up to four and a half feet at shoulder height.
When mating, the pair will leave the pride and go off by themselves. Copulation occurs about every twenty minutes for about two or three days, until the male is sure she has conceived.
The mane of the lion is there to protect his neck and throat during a fight. In some of the older males, this mane turns almost black in color. Maneless males have been known.
In certain areas, giraffe make up a large percentage of their food supply, then buffalo. Because of its size, the whole pride can eat and they do not have to hunt again for the next two or three days. They are opportunistic feeders and will also kill anything from ostrich and zebra to elephants.
Most people do not know that ALL wild cats are spotted. Some adults retain their rosettes spots on their flanks and underbellies, but it is mostly seen on the young.
Lion mainly become man-eaters after they have been kicked out of the pride due to illness or old age, and are unable to hunt successfully for themselves.