THE RHINOCEROUS
(Ceratotherium simum)
The Rhino is the 2nd largest in size after the Elephant. There are 2 species in Africa - The Black Rhino and the White Rhino.
The White Rhino is the larger and reaches lengths of 4 3/4 metres and has a weight of 4 tons, while the Black Rhino does not reach 4 metres and just manages 2 tons.
The White's gestation period is 450 - 480 days which is a 100 days longer than the Black Rhino.
Both Rhino have poor eyesight and relies on it's two horns on it's snout as weapons.
The horn's main function however is to aid in feeding. It enables the animal to tear and uproot it's food.
The Rhino is very territorial and rarely strays out of it's boundaries.
The Rhino has a very long sexual act which may be the source of the legend widely believed in Asia that Rhino horn powder is a powerful aphrodisiac. This legend is not yet dead and may be the reason why Rhino's have been exterminated in some places and reduced to very few in others.
THE BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer caffer)
The
Buffalo mammal
of the
Artiodactyls,
family
Bovids can
grow to a
length of 2
3/4 metres
and reach a
weight of
one ton. The
gestation
period is
almost
one year
with one
calf being
born at any
one time.
Buffalo can
live for up
to 20 years.
There are 2
types, The
Savannah
Buffalo and
the Forest
Buffalo.
They have
large
impressive
horns with
the typical
curvature
being the
characteristic
of the Bull,
but the cow
also wears a
formidable
pair too.
Buffaloes
are
gregarious
animals,
however
solitary
ones are
often found
on the
savannah.
These are
usually
bulls, which
having
reached full
maturity and
weight, no
longer feel
like
travelling
long
distances:
they choose
a place near
water and
graze
peacefully,
their huge
size
discouraging
possible
predators.
The Buffalo
is famous
for it's
keen sense
of smell
which knows
the presence
of intruders
at a
distance of
500 metres
away, when
the wind is
favourable.
Buffalo love
to wallow in
the mud like
pigs, not
just to cool
off but to
get rid of
parasites
tormenting
them. Birds
also pick
off unwanted
insects.
A fight for supremacy can be terrifying to watch, they will fight until one surrenders unconditionally. The winner will then return to the herd as if nothing had happened to be the boss of the herd.
THE ELEPHANT
(Loxodonta Africana)
The Elephant
is the
largest land
mammal
alive. .
There are 3
living
species of
the species,
The African
Bush
Elephant,
The African
Forest
Elephant and
the Asian
Elephant.
Other
species have
become
extinct since
the last ice
age, the
Mammoth
being the
most known
of these.
The African
Elephant
differs from
the Indian
one, it has
a bigger
head and
larger ears
and is
larger in
size
overall. The
Indian cow
Elephant
does not
have tusks
while the
African
variety have
formidable
tusks in
both sexes.
The trunk is
an extended
hand, it
tears off
foodstuffs
and takes it
to the
mouth. It
sucks up a
few gallons
of water at
a time to
squirt it in
it's mouth
or squirts
the water
over it's
body. It
also uses it
to scratch
it's body
and chastise
the young
ones when
they are not
keeping up
with the
adults on
the march,
or to
encourage
and assist
the young
ones if they
are in
trouble. It
also blows
dust and
soil over
its body to
clear out
the numerous
parasites
living in
the folds of
its skin.
Birds will
also sit on
the Elephant
and pluck
out ticks
and insects.
The
Elephant's
diet is
varied from
tough grass
to tree
barks &
baobab
trees. As
the Elephant
hide is 2 cm
think it has
problems
keeping
cool. The
Elephant
will use its
huge ears to
help control
its
temperature.
It can reach
a length of
six to seven
meters
including
it's trunk
and can
weigh up to
seven tons,
and can live
up to 70
years though
the oldest
known is 82
years.
It's
gestation
period is 22
months the
longest of
any living
animal and
can have
young every
four years.
It is very
rare for an
Elephant
to have
twins.
Healthy
adult
Elephants
have no
natural
predators
but lions
may take
calves or
weak
individuals.
Their main
enemy is man
who
threatens
them by
intrusion or
poaching for
it's ivory.
Once numbering millions the African Elephant has dwindled to between 470,000 to 690,000 according to March 1997 survey. While the Elephant is a protected species worldwide, with restrictions in place on capture, domestic use and trade in products such as ivory CITES reopening of "one time" ivory stock sales, has resulted in increased poaching. Certain African nations report a decrease of their Elephant population by as much as two-thirds and populations in certain protected areas are in danger of being eliminated. Since recent poaching has increased by a much as 45%, the current population is unknown. 2008 Wikipedia
Encyclopaedia.
THE GIRAFFE
(Giraffa camelopardalis)
The Giraffe
is a very
strange
animal; it
is a
ruminant
like a goat
or a cow,
but has a
head and a
body nearer
to the
horse, the
neck and
shoulders
remind you
of a camel,
the eyes are
of a bull,
the legs of
an antelope,
the colour
and fur
design of a
leopard. The
Latin name
also tries
to remind us
of these
things.
Class of
mammals,
order of
artiodactyls,
family:
Giraffes.
The height
varies from
4 to 5
metres and
weighs a ton
and over.
Gestation is
14 to 15
months
giving birth
to one young
at a time
weighing 70
kg. Giraffe
live up to
25 years.
There are
many
species. The
most
attractive
is the
reticulated
giraffe. In
Kenya there
is also a
rare species
having 5
horns; (with
regard to
horns: there
may be two
to five,
according to
species but
they are
just bone
protuberances
covered with
hairs, with
a tuft at
the top and
are
considered
as having
ornamental
rather than
defensive
purposes,
being used
for stroking
during the
mating
season).
Unbelievably
the Giraffe
only has 7
vertebrae
(as a mouse
has) Nature
has provided
it with a
singular
device to
prevent
excess blood
going to the
brain when
the head is
lowered to
the ground.
A little
valve closes
and the
pressure is
proportionately
decreased.
The
favourite
diet is the
spiny
acacia, an
umbrella
shaped tree
with small
leaves among
tufts of
thorns. No
fear: a
special
muscle on
the lips is
puncture
proof. The
tongue is
half a metre
long and
helps to
grab
branches as
well.
Usually the
Giraffe is
mute but
sometimes it
bleats or
grunts.
To lie down
it has to
proceed with
a special
manoeuvre,
so to speak,
segment by
segment. It
feels
undefended
when lying
down, so it
prefers to
rest
standing
with its
legs
slightly
more apart
than usual.
The kick of a Giraffe is extremely dangerous because of the leg's length and consequent speed; someone has calculated it can kick a football 300 metres.....as long as the ball does not burst first!
THE CROCODILE
(Crocodylus niloticus)
The Nile
River
flows
through
a large
chunk of
Africa
and from
time
immemorial
has
given
hospitality
to this
huge
reptile,
called
Crocodylus
niloticus.
There
are
still
today
specimens
5 to 6
metres
long and
weighing
one ton,
but a
time ago
one
could
find
creatures
even 9
metres
long. It
is
generally
thought
that
crocodiles
are the
only
animals
which
have
changed
very
little
from
their
prehistoric
ancestors:
only
their
size
seems to
have
decreased.
The
crocodile
is a
reptile
which
lays
from 20
to 50
eggs per
brood.
It hides
the heap
of eggs
in the
sand and
stays
not too
distant
from the
place.
About 90
days
afterwards,
the
little
crocs
hatch
out and
instinctively
take a
run for
the
water.
It is
the most
dangerous
moment
for the
newly
born. In
fact
there
are many
enemies
just
waiting
for the
occasion,
birds
from the
air and
other
animals
on the
ground,
especially
another
reptile,
a large
lizard,
which
does not
have to
wait for
hatching
but goes
to dig
out the
eggs
before
they
become
indigestible.
It is good that the balance of nature is kept, otherwise the rivers would be full of crocodiles, given the mother crocodile may live up to 70 yrs and can be counted on to lay eggs in abundance. The crocodile has no tongue but only a stump of muscle which plugs the gullet at the time of immersion. Teeth are used to hold and tear up the prey rather than to chew. To tear the flesh from the prey, the crocodile snaps its jaws and then swiftly turns three or four times around like a rotating torpedo: since the prey cannot follow that fast, it is torn to pieces.
Stones have been found in the bellies of crocodiles, some
think they may be of use in mincing the large pieces of meat swallowed without chewing. Others think the stones are just added weight to make immersion easier. The friends of the crocodile are not numerous. Only one bird has permission to get near and even to enter its mouth when it is open. The bird does the job of toothpick and toothbrush and also - nice sleep comes easily under the hot sun! - acts as an alarm clock to wake up the crocodile when danger is
imminent. Truly even in the animal kingdom one
can apply the proverb: a friend in need is a friend indeed.
THE ZEBRA
(Equus quagga burchelli and Equus quaga grevyi)
Common Zebra Grevy's Zebra
There
are many
different
species
of Zebras
in
Africa,
the most
popular
are the
Common
Zebra
and the
Grevy's
Zebra.
The
Grevy's
Zebra is
larger
than the
others
and less
horse
like
in
appearance.
It is
more
adapted
to
desert
conditions,
withstanding
extremes
of heat
and
thirst.
An
African
legend
says
that
when God
created
the
desert,
after
reviewing
what he
had
done, he
was a
bit
disappointed
with the
solitude
of that
huge
territory
and so
created
the
Zebra to
inhabit
the
wilderness.
Zebras
belong
to the
same
families
are
horses,
as the
Latin
name
implies.
Order of
the
Perissodactyls
and
family
of
Equids.
While the common Zebra may weigh up to 300 kgs., the Grevy's species may reach more than 400. The stripes of the Grevy are much more numerous than those of the Common Zebra. Looking at this strange creature you may think that the colour of the mantle is a natural target for predators. In fact it provides an excellent camouflage, especially when running. Lions, Cheetahs, hunting dogs are the usual hunters of Zebras, but they must be very careful about the the powerful kick of Zebras; otherwise a very well placed kick may reverse the situation and the hunters may finish their chase with their entrails scattered all over the ground.
THE WILDEBEEST
(Connochaetes taurinus)
The Wildebeest is also known as the Gnu and is an antelope.
There are 2 species, both native to Africa, The Black Wildebeest or white tailed gnu and the Blue Wildebeest or brindled gnu belonging to the family Bovidae which includes antelopes, cattle, goats and other even-toed horned ungulates.
Wildebeest grow between 3ft 9" to 4ft 7" (1.15 - 1.4 metres) at the shoulder and weigh 330 - 550 pounds (150 - 250 Kilo). They inhabit the plains and open woodlands of Africa, especially the Serengeti National Park. They can live for more than 20 years.
They are well known for their annual migration to new pastures, from Tanzania - Kenya and vice-versa.
They move in vast quantities and many die in their attempt to cross rivers, many being eaten by crocodiles. While it is commonly assumed that this is simply a "frenzy" and that the Wildebeest cross blindly, recent research has shown a herd to possess what is known as a "swarm intelligence" whereby the Wildebeest systematically explore and overcome the obstacle "as one".
More
information
on the
migration
of the
Wildebeest
can be
found by
clicking
the link
below
Wildebeest Migration
THE GERENUK
(Litocranius walleri)
The Gerenuk is a very interesting creature with no close resemblance to any other antelope - except the Dibatag. It has earned itself the nickname "gazelle - giraffe".
It is no longer than one metre 60cm, it's height reaches one metre, and it's weight is no more than 50-55kg.
It has a small head, very long legs and neck. Only the male has short ringed horns. It has a reddish-brown coat and white belly. With its long neck the gerenuk reaches tasty leaves and shoots by standing on its hind legs and balancing itself against the branches, its powerful muscles enabling it to hold this position for a considerable period. It doesn't eat grasses, but only leaves and shoots, flowers and fruits and lianas. In the wilderness, almost empty of animal life, the gerenuk is completely at home.
Because of its ability to go without water for long periods, the animal has no need to compete with other animals of the banks of the rivers, streams or waterholes. It will not miss the opportunity to drink should water be easily available, but it is no matter of great importance. Provided that leaves and shoots will not disappear because of persistent drought, the gerenuk will not bother. The horns are very solid and thick at the base; because of this particular solid brain-pan the scientists gave this species of gazelle the last name "litocranius" (lito=stone; cranius=skull).
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