Cats of the Kgalagadi

[Lisbeth]

It is supposed to be the female of Auchterlonie; I don't know if she has a name

[Mel]

Auchterlonie Female is her name

[Lisbeth]

[Peter Betts]

One of the regular Rooiputs Flyers lining up a Springbok Ram far off to the left ..He got away this time as the Cheetah had to start her Turbo run early..Click on image to get the magic sunrise colour

[Mel]

Best cat to see, IMO

[Lisbeth]

They are up and around during the day and often active I do not mind a leopard from time to time though

[Richprins]

[Peter Betts]

Nikon Shutters in their fast cameras like the D500 and D5 are very noisy ..Thankfully my new and last ever camera is much quieter so my Kruger trip this month wont have startled animals like this poor lioness who took 5 shots rapid fire in April in the Kgalagadi

[Lisbeth]

5 Things you didn’t know about black-maned lions

Posted on 12 September, 2018 by Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve in Animal Encounters, Destinations, Kalahari


© Kosie Lategan

Written by Dylan Smith, Tswalu Conservation Manager

The lions in the Kalahari, including Tswalu Kalahari Private Game Reserve, are known as black-maned lions. The Kalahari lions are known for their majestic size and beautiful manes, although they are actually the same species as other lions found across Africa. The contrast between their tawny coloured bodies and their black manes is striking and gives them a very regal look.

Here are 5 things you didn’t know about black-maned lions:

1. The darker the mane, the more attractive the male is to lionesses.

2. Male lions with darker manes tend to have higher levels of testosterone.


© Kosi Lategan

3. Research has indicated that in populations where both dark and lighter-maned males occur, the darker-maned males have a higher chance of surviving injuries.

4. According to some evidence, cubs born to females sired by dark-maned males tend to have a higher chance of survival compared to their siblings from light-maned males.


© Barry Peiser

5. Mane colour appears to be linked to the health of an individual – the darker the mane the healthier the individual.

Watch a video of lion cubs playing with dad, filmed by private guide Kosie Lategan

https://africageographic.com/wp-content ... ad.mp4?_=1

[Flutterby]