The pods of this particular species are low on the ground and surrounded by leaves.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Cycads 2
The pods of this particular species are low on the ground and surrounded by leaves.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Cheetah
Cheetah do not stalk their prey as do lion and leopard, instead, they rely on their exceptional speed, which is 80kmph (48 mph) on average, but some people maintain can be as high as 112kmph (67mph).
Their name is derived from and Indian word “chita” which means “spotted one.”
The tail of these beautiful creatures is moved from right to left like rudders to facilitate their changing direction when in high speed pursuit of an intended victim.
An open environment is preferred by them, for, by lying on top of a raises raised piece of ground or anthill, they are able to spot their prey quite a distance away.
Cheetahs are easily distinguished. Even at a distance, the muscular shoulders sloping down to their hind quarters, stream-lined belly and small head can be seen.
Females will breed only after the current litter reaches the age of about two years. They are found in small family groups of two to five.
Impala and other medium sized antelope make up most of their diet, but they also eat hares, guinea fowl, ostrich, warthog and any other game which might be available.
Males will urinate on the boundaries of their territory and, as this smell lasts for about twenty four hours, they will need to do this fairly regularly to ensure that other cheetah males do not come into their area.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Pilansberg - Wild flowers - Part 7
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Meerkats (Suricats)
Meerkats are diurnal, and will only be seen after the first rays of sun start to show over the horizon.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Giraffe
Many people do not know that giraffes can sit down like this.
They have the second longest gestation period, 15 months after which a single calf is born.
There are 7 bones in their necks. The same as humans and sparrows.
Giraffe, Blue Wildebeest, Impala and Zebra are mostly found in mixed herds. Each species eats a different kind of food so are not competition for one another.
The pigmentation of their skin is the same as our, some have lighter skins than others.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Ostrich (Struthio Camelus)
Life expectancy: They can live to be 40 years old or more.
Predators: The chicks have many predators including vulture, hyena and jackal.
One ostrich egg equals 24 chicken eggs.
In breeding season, the lower front of his legs go a bright red.
Ostriches have great vision and because of their strong legs can run at 70 km (40 miles) per hour.
Ostriches are mainly vegetarian, eating grass, succulents berries and seeds, though they will also eat insects. They swallow large numbers of pebbles which help grind the harder food in the gizzard and aid digestion.
Territorial males compete for flocks of 3 to 5 hens. Mating includes elaborate displays of hisses and dancing. Once divided into mating groups, ostriches in some areas use communal nests to hold anywhere from 14 to 60 eggs. The nest is a hole scraped in bare ground about 1 to 2 feet deep. The average egg is 6 inches in length, 5 inches in width, weighs about 3 pounds, and is shiny and whitish in color. Eggs take approximately 35 - 40 days to hatch. The male, which has mostly black feathers, sits on the eggs at night, and the drab, brown female who lays up to 20 eggs, covers them during the day. Only 15 percent of chicks make it to their first birthday, despite having protection from their parents.
Pilansberg - Wild flowers - Part 6
Friday, May 7, 2010
Small Spotted Genet
The small spotted genet, or common genet, is a small cat-like mammal. From head to tail, the small spotted genet is approximately 40 in (100cm) in length, and weighs around 2-7 lbs (1-3 kg.). The medium to short length coat can be found in shades from tan to gray. The coat is spotted with small black spots formed in rows. These spots may be located close together and form what looks like solid lines. Each genet has a unique pattern. The tail is ringed, and makes up approximately half of the total body length. The face of Genetta genetta is slightly elongated. The muzzle is black, ringed with white around mouth and eye area. The eyes are large and round and face forward. They have short stout legs and large ears. When frightened or excited, small spotted genets are able to erect a mane of hair along their neck and back. Genets have 5 digits per foot and the soles of each foot is furred. Like a cat’s the claws are retractile. Like all Viverids, small spotted genets have anal scent glands used for marking and as a predator deterrent.