Africa Wild

On going birding yesterday with a friend who is about to plan his next wildlife trip the conversation went something like this.

"How many different animals can I expect to see in one trip to South Africa?"

" 200 should be possible."

Well, I don't know if it is true, but I'll find out and will try to post here 200 different animal species from my last South Africa trip.

I am not a birder and I don't do tick lists etc, so I have no clue how many species I have seen, but I'll look through some photos and the truth will come out

The 2014 trip was not only Kruger National Park, but also some other reserves: Pilanesberg, Marakele, Mapungubwe, Tembe and uMkhuze. And of course the different ecozones add to the diversity of species. And I sneaked in two days in Hlane National Park in Swaziland.

Suni Neotragus moschatus


Tembe Elephant Park, 4 September 2014

Weighing around five kilograms, the suni is South Africa's second-smallest antelope (after the blue duiker). A very cute little animal that never stands still for a photo.

In former times suni were probably fairly widely distributed in wooded habitats over an area of about 9000 km², extending from the Mozambique border, southwards and east of the Lebombo Mountains, to St Lucia Estuary. Current populations lie within this range, but are small and isolated. They are present in sub-arid habitats in the Bushveld bioclimatic regions, at elevations between 40 and 100 m above sea level.
The total number of suni in KwaZulu-Natal is probably less than 1000. The largest population of about 500 is in Tembe Elephant Reserve. Other protected areas which contain sunis are Mkhuze (ca 230), False Bay Park, and Ndumo.

Suni occur in dry closed woodland, bushland, and thicket on sand or clay soils. The preferred habitat is dense woody vegetation, with a high stem density in the shrub layer, and sparse ground cover. That's why they are very difficult to spot . The main source of food is fallen leaves. Flowers and fruits are eaten when available. They do not depend on permanent surface water for drinking. In ideal habitat suni occur at densities 1/1 ha to 1/3 ha (Tembe Elephant Park), and in sub-optimal habitat (False Bay Park) density is ca 1/14 ha.

Both adult male and female suni are territorial. Mated pairs occupy the same home range, and exclude other adults.

Common Duiker, Grey Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia


Tembe Elephant Park, 4 September 2014

Body Length: 80-115 cm
Shoulder Height: 45-60 cm
Tail Length: 10-20 cm
Weight: 10-20 kg
The coat is generally pale reddish-brown to grizzled gray, depending on the geographical location. The undersides are whitish, while the muzzle, nose bridge, and forelegs are black. The short tail is black on the top, contrasting sharply with the fluffy white underside. The long, pointed ears are separated by a tuft of hair on the forehead. Females are usually larger than males. The sharply pointed horns are usually found only in males and grow 7-18 cm / 3-7 inches long. The horns are more vertically oriented than in other duiker species, due to the more open habitat.

Gestation Period: 6-7 months.
Young per Birth: 1
Weaning: 2 months.
Sexual Maturity: Females at 8-10 months, males at 12 months.
Life span: Up to 14 years.
After birth, the young lie up in dense cover for a number of weeks.

Feeding predominantly from dusk until dawn, the gray duiker rests in favourite hiding places in scrub or grass during the day. This small antelope has exceptional speed and stamina, and is usually able to outrun dogs that chase after it. The home ranges of individuals of the same sex rarely overlap. However, there is substantial common land in the ranges of individuals of the opposite sexes. Males are territorial, marking their defended areas with preorbital secretions and attacking other males that intrude. The favourite resting place of these males is a high spot overlooking their territory. In favourable areas there are approximately 2 animals per square kilometer. Juveniles make a loud bleat if caught, which brings the parents running.
Family group: Usually solitary, although pairs are occasionally sighted.
Diet: Tree and bush foliage, fruits, seeds, occasionally carrion.
Main Predators: Large predators, small cats, baboon, crocodile, python, eagle.

The Common Duiker is one of the most widely distributed antelopes on the African continent, occurring throughout the savanna woodland zones of sub-Saharan Africa. Typically a savanna woodland species, but often found in relatively open country.

Common Reedbuck, Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum


Tembe Elephant Park, 4 September 2014

Head and body length: 130-160 cm (males), 120-140 cm (females)
Shoulder height: 80-105 cm (males), 65-95 cm (females)
Tail length: 18-30 cm
Adult weight: 60-95 kg (males), 50-85 kg (females)
The coat of the southern reedbuck is fawn or buff in color, with some grizzling of gray and brown. The undersides are white, including the bushy lower surface of the tail. All four legs have a dark stripe on their lower fronts. At the base of the pointed ears lies a gland that, when active, appears as a black circle of bare skin. Aside from this, there are no distinctive facial markings, although the lips, bottom of the jaw, and area around the eyes are often pale or white. Only males grow horns, which have a distinctive forward curving arc from the ridged bases to the smooth tips. Forming a "V" when viewed from the front, the horns typically grow 25-45 cm long.

The Southern Reedbuck occurs from Gabon and Tanzania to South Africa. Southern Reedbucks occupy floodplain and drainage-line grasslands in savanna woodlands. The most significant habitats in South Africa are valleys in which the grass cover is tall (or there is suitable herbaceous cover) and permanent water is available. Southern Reedbucks range to 1,800-2,000 m in the Drakensberg mountains of South Africa. They are predominantly fresh grass grazers, but will occasionally take small quantities of herbs, and in some areas may even browse extensively.

Common Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus ellipsiprymnus


Tembe Elephant Park, 4 September 2014

Bulls have a shoulder height of 1.4 m and can weigh up to 260 Kg. Cows are smaller than bulls. Waterbucks have a brownish-grey shaggy coat. The eyes and nose are patched with white, and there is a white collar under the throat. The rump has a characteristic white ring. The large rounded ears are a prominent feature. Only the bulls have long, forward curved horns. Both sexes emit a, not unpleasant, musky smell which normally lingers at resting sites.

The Waterbuck grazes mainly grass near permanent water sources. They will browse when grass cover is in a poor condition. The Waterbuck is very dependent on water and will drink daily.

Mating activities peak during winter, but it can occur at lower intensity the year round. After a gestation period of nine months, single calves are born, occasionally twins. Births tend to peak during summer. For several weeks new-born will hide-up in the cover of dense bush or long grass, before they join herds by following their mothers.

This is a gregarious antelope. Dominant bulls occupy territories which they defend by aggressive posturing and even fights. Cows, calves and young bachelors congregate in herds. The composition of such herds can vary daily as individuals freely leave or join these. They are strong swimmers and when seriously threatened, will take refuge in deep water. They are found in herds of up to 30 strong.

Inhabits only well watered areas, with a strong predilection for dense woody vegetation and good quality medium to tall grasses. The Waterbuck will on occasion venture into open woodlands and floodplains. Waterbuck are classified as grazers, but also browse.

Two subspecies are recognized (formerly regarded as distinct species): Defassa Waterbuck (K. e. defassa) and Common or Ellipsen Waterbuck (K. e. ellipsiprymnus). The Defassa Waterbuck is found west of the western Rift Valley and south of the Sahel from Eritrea in the east to Guinea Bissau in the west; its most northerly point of distribution is in southern Mali. A population still exists in Niokola-Koba in Senegal. Defassa also range east of the Congo Basin forest, spreading west below the basin’s southern limit through Zambia into Angola. Another arm extends north, west of the Congo Basin to the Zaïre R. in Congo Republic. Defassa are extinct in Gambia (though vagrants may enter from Senegal).
East of the eastern Rift Valley, the Defassa is replaced by the Common Waterbuck, which extends southwards to about the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, and to central Namibia.
In South Africa it is distributed along the major drainage systems of Mpumalanga, Northern Province and northern KwaZulu-Natal. Recently re-introduced at St Lucia and Itala game reserves in KwaZulu-Natal.

Natal Red Duiker Cephalophus natalensis


Tembe Elephant Park, 2 September 2014

An adorable tiny antelope and always on the run

Red duikers have a body length of up to 1 m, an typical shoulder height of 43 cm, and an average mass of 14 kg. Both sexes have short, straight horns about 6 cm long, although in females they may be smaller in size. Towards the base, the horns have coarse rings and longitudinal striations, but they are smooth towards the tips. The red duiker is a rich reddish-brown in color, although the underparts are typically paler. The hairs on the chin, throat, and insides of the ears are commonly a shade of white. A tuft of reddish-brown and black hairs grow between the horns, and the tail has a white tip. It has a hunched back, with front legs shorter than the hind legs. These longer hind legs are in a crouched position, which serves as an advantage when the duiker senses danger and needs to flee by allowing the individual to leap quickly into nearby brush.

Red duikers are confined to coastal forest and dense bush, under warm, humid conditions. It is both a forager (eating freshly fallen leaves) and a browser, independent of free water.
Breeding may occur throughout the year, with most births possibly during spring and summer. Gestation is approximately 7 months, age at first parturition 18-24 months, calving interval about 9 months.

The Natal Red Duiker formerly occurred widely in coastal and riverine forests and thickets, escarpments and montane forests from south-eastern Tanzania to north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. The Natal Red Duiker is well represented in several well-managed protected areas such as Selous Game Reserve (Tanzania), Maputo Game Reserve (Mozambique), Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and Ndumo G.R. (South Africa).
Red duikers occur mainly in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, and in small isolated populations along the coast, in the bioclimatic region Coast lowlands, and also in riverine lowland Bushveld, up to 200 m above sea level, in north eastern KwaZulu-Natal. The largest population of ca 1000 is that in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, and there are about 300 in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. A guess would be that the total for KwaZulu-Natal is more than 2000 but less than 3000. Red duikers are also fairly common in Ndumo and Tembe.

Fascinating, Dear!

Red Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus caama


Pilanesberg, 8 August 2014

The Red Hartebeest is a large, reddish-fawn antelope with sloping back and long narrow face. Both sexes have heavily ringed horns. Of the 12 subspecies described in Africa, the Red Hartebeest is the only one which occurs in South Africa. Due to its re-introduction onto game farms and nature reserves, it has a wider distribution today. Adult bulls weigh 150 kg and measure 1.3 m at the shoulders, while cows only weigh 120 kg.

Red Hartebeest is predominantly a grazing species which prefers medium-height grass stands, and relishes fresh re-growth after veldt fires or rain.
Following a gestation period of eight months, single calves are normally born before summer rains. For a short period after being born, calves are hidden in dense vegetation before joining the herd.
Territorial bulls often present themselves on prominent mounds and mark their territories with dung piles. The Red Hartebeest is swift on foot and gregarious, occurring in herds of up to 30.
Preferred habitat is the dry, arid regions of Namibia, the Kalahari, southern Botswana, and north-western South Africa.

Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus


Kruger National Park, 26 August 2014


Kruger National Park, 28 August 2014

Body Length: 100-150 cm
Shoulder Height: 65-100 cm
Tail Length: 30-35 cm
Weight: 25-80 kg.
The dark brown to chestnut to hazel coat has a varied pattern of up to 7 white stripes and spots, depending on the subspecies. The face has 1-2 white cheek spots, small white stripes at the corners of the eyes, and a white muzzle. The bushy tail is white underneath. The horns are found only in the males, and grow 25-55 cm long. They are nearly straight, with one tight twist.

Gestation Period: About 6 months
Young per Birth: 1
Weaning: After 6 months
Sexual Maturity: At 11-12 months
Life span: About 12 years
Breeding occurs throughout the year. The single young lies hidden away from its mother for the first few weeks of life.

Bushbuck may be active throughout the 24 hours of the day, although they tend to be nocturnal near human settlements. Using trails through dense jungle, the bushbuck ranges through a restricted "home" area, which may be only a few hundred meters across. These home ranges overlap extensively, and it has been noted that the greater the population density, the smaller these home ranges are. Savannah densities have been recorded as over 25 animals per square kilometer, while forest densities are much smaller - only 4 animals per square kilometer. Males compete fiercely for females in estrous, but they are not territorial. Confrontations between males are composed of displaying and charging, followed by the locking of horns and vigorous twisting in an attempt to throw the opponent off balance. Stabbing with the horns has also been noted. The bushbuck is an excellent jumper, clearing 2 meter tall fences with ease, and swims well. The call resembles the bark of a dog.
Family group: Usually solitary, although sometimes in pairs.
Diet: Grasses as well as leaves, buds, and fruit.
Main Predators: Leopard, lion, crocodile.

Bushbuck occur widely in sub-Saharan Africa wherever there is cover to conceal it, from sea level to 4,000 m, from rainforest edge to patches of gallery forest and bush near water in the subdesert. It is naturally absent from arid and semi-arid regions and from extensive areas of closed-canopy forest. Its ability to survive in human-dominated landscapes and to withstand heavy hunting pressure have enabled it to persist over much of its former range. Bushbuck are primarily browsers.

The Bushbuck ranges very widely in sub-Saharan Africa, occurring in 40 African countries, more than any other antelope species. They range from Mauritania, Senegal and Guinea Bissau through West Africa, south of the Sahara, to north-east Africa then southwards throughout East Africa and the more mesic areas of southern Africa to the Western Cape of South Africa.

Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger


Kruger National Park, 26 August 2014

Body Length: 190-255 cm
Shoulder Height: 117-143 cm
Tail Length: 40-75 cm
Weight: 190-270 kg
Sexual dimorphism is present in this antelope, although the exytent varies depending on location and subspecies. Colouration is the most obvious difference, with females and young being bright chestnut to dark brown and mature males being chestnut to jet black. The white belly contrasts greatly with the back and sides. The face is white with a black facial mask consisting of a wide black stripe on the bridge of the nose, and stripes running from the eyes to the nose. The thick neck is enhanced by a mane of stiff hair. The semicircular, ridged horns are found in both sexes, although they are smaller in females. In males they grow 80-165 cm long, while those in females grow 60-100 cm in length.

Gestation Period: About 9 months.
Young per Birth: 1
Weaning: At 8 months.
Sexual Maturity: At 2-3 years.
Life span: Up to 17 years.
Breeding is seasonal, with births coinciding with the region's rainy season. After birth, the calf lies concealed for at least ten days.

Sable antelope are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Where not persecuted, they are not excessively wary, often running a short distance when startled, then stopping and looking back. However, when closely pursued, they can run as fast as 57 kmph for considerable distances. When wounded or cornered, sable antelope viciously defend themselves with their saber-like horns. The "critical distance" - the point at which an animal defends itself instead of fleeing - for sable antelope seems to be smaller than for comparable species. Old bulls are believed to be territorial. When fighting, males males drop to their 'knees' and engage in horn wrestling. Fatalities from these combats are known, but are rare. Maternal herds are led by a dominant male, who defends an area of 300-500 meters extending outward from the herd. Recorded population densities vary between 0.4 and 9.2 per square kilometer, although the maximum sustainable density is believed to be less than 4 animals per square kilometers.
Family group: Maternal herds of 10-30 animals led by an adult male. Males form small bachelor herds. Larger mixed herds of over 100 animals have been recorded.
Diet: Medium high grasses, leaves.
Main Predators: Lion, leopard, spotted hyena.

Distribution: Wooded savannas in south-eastern Africa.
The historic range of Sable is much reduced today. In South Africa the distributional stronghold of this rare and endangered antelope is in the Kruger National Park. It is also seen in other protected areas to which Sable have been reintroduced, or introduced in areas where they have never occurred previously.