Our Animals!
Mammals
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Lions
The lion population in Africa has been reduced by half since the early
1950s. Today, fewer than 21,000 remain in all of Africa. The eat a wide variety of meet zebras are one. Young cubs are vulnerable to predation by hyenas,
leopards and black-backed jackals. The cubs begin hunting at 11 months but remain with their mother for at east two years.
The lion population in Africa has been reduced by half since the early
1950s. Today, fewer than 21,000 remain in all of Africa. The eat a wide variety of meet zebras are one. Young cubs are vulnerable to predation by hyenas,
leopards and black-backed jackals. The cubs begin hunting at 11 months but remain with their mother for at east two years.
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Buffalos
The Cape Buffalo is large, heavily built and formidable,
and is a well-respected member of Africa's 'Big 5'. Although
buffalo are not normally aggressive, if wounded they become
one of the world's most dangerous animals. Buffalo live
in large herds, which even today can number thousands: one
of the most impressive and frightening sights of Africa is
the mighty stampede of a herd of buffalo thundering across
the savanna plains.
The Cape Buffalo is large, heavily built and formidable,
and is a well-respected member of Africa's 'Big 5'. Although
buffalo are not normally aggressive, if wounded they become
one of the world's most dangerous animals. Buffalo live
in large herds, which even today can number thousands: one
of the most impressive and frightening sights of Africa is
the mighty stampede of a herd of buffalo thundering across
the savanna plains.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/9/3/22938218/7450503.jpg)
Elephants
There are two species of elephants remaining in the world – the African and the Asian. They range in color from light to dark gray, with the most distinct features being their huge ears and tusks. These tusks though have resulted in the deaths of thousands of elephants though. That is because they are made from ivory. Even though it is now illegal to trade or sell ivory it continues to be profitable on the black market. Elephants are some of the largest creatures in the world. They are also known to be extremely intelligent.
There are two species of elephants remaining in the world – the African and the Asian. They range in color from light to dark gray, with the most distinct features being their huge ears and tusks. These tusks though have resulted in the deaths of thousands of elephants though. That is because they are made from ivory. Even though it is now illegal to trade or sell ivory it continues to be profitable on the black market. Elephants are some of the largest creatures in the world. They are also known to be extremely intelligent.
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Gorillas
Gorillas are extremely large animals and they can be aggressive when they feel that they or their families are in danger. They live in small groups that are called troops. There is an adult male who is in charge of what goes on within that troop. The leader takes on the responsibility of fighting to protect the troop, and they will do so with their life if they have to. The other males in the troop will also fight along side the dominant male to protect their families.
Gorillas are extremely large animals and they can be aggressive when they feel that they or their families are in danger. They live in small groups that are called troops. There is an adult male who is in charge of what goes on within that troop. The leader takes on the responsibility of fighting to protect the troop, and they will do so with their life if they have to. The other males in the troop will also fight along side the dominant male to protect their families.
BIRDS
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Hilderbrand Starling
A starling couple can build a nest in 1-3 days. Both sexes incubate. A migrating flock can number 100,000 birds. They roost communally in flocks that may contain as many as a million birds. Watch this amazing video of a swarming flock of starlings that appear to be feeding. Each year, starlings cause an estimated $800 million in damages to agricultural crops
A starling couple can build a nest in 1-3 days. Both sexes incubate. A migrating flock can number 100,000 birds. They roost communally in flocks that may contain as many as a million birds. Watch this amazing video of a swarming flock of starlings that appear to be feeding. Each year, starlings cause an estimated $800 million in damages to agricultural crops
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Grey Headed KingfisherA dry-country kingfisher of scrub and woodland, solitary or in pairs, often found near water, but unlike most kingfishers is not aquatic. Perches on branch, not moving for long periods while watching the ground for signs of insects or small lizards, bobbing head before diving on prey.
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Lappet Faced Vulture
The lappet-faced vulture is one of the most aggressive of African birds. It possesses one of the strongest beaks, usually arriving last to the carcass due to its ability to tear off flesh (such as skin, tendons, and other coarse tissue) that is too tough for smaller scavengers. In fact, they are able to strip a small antelope carcass to the bone within 20 minutes.2.Because of their dominating size, they will often scare off or steal from smaller vultures.3.These vultures do not feed strictly on carrion; they have been known to sit by termite mounds or locust nests and eat them as they emerge from their holes.
The lappet-faced vulture is one of the most aggressive of African birds. It possesses one of the strongest beaks, usually arriving last to the carcass due to its ability to tear off flesh (such as skin, tendons, and other coarse tissue) that is too tough for smaller scavengers. In fact, they are able to strip a small antelope carcass to the bone within 20 minutes.2.Because of their dominating size, they will often scare off or steal from smaller vultures.3.These vultures do not feed strictly on carrion; they have been known to sit by termite mounds or locust nests and eat them as they emerge from their holes.
Fish
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African Tiger Fish
The ‘Tiger Fish’ is the name generally used to refer to a variety of fish species of the genusHydrocynus. Native to Africa, the Tiger Fish is located in scores of rivers and lakes throughout the continent. Although they can grow to quite large sizes, the African Tiger Fish can be seen as the equivalent to the South American Piranha.
The ‘Tiger Fish’ is the name generally used to refer to a variety of fish species of the genusHydrocynus. Native to Africa, the Tiger Fish is located in scores of rivers and lakes throughout the continent. Although they can grow to quite large sizes, the African Tiger Fish can be seen as the equivalent to the South American Piranha.
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African Whiptail Catfish Whiptail Catfish is long and slender. Its appearance is like a lizard. Its basic color is sandy brown with dark slanting bands athwart the dorsal surface. At both tips, the caudal fin has long filaments. Its size is around 12 cm or 4.7 inches. Whiptail Catfish lays eggs in proxy burrows like PVC tubes. The male holds the responsibility to guard them. The fry start swimming at their own after about five days of spawning. Once the fry start swimming freely, they are abandoned by their father. The fry readily accept algae and softened vegetables at once. It is comparatively easy to rear the fry.
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African Wood Catfish
These fish are predators so are best kept in species tanks. They will tolerate their own kind. They may work with robust but peaceful larger fish. Males are more slender than females. No other external differences. A voracious eater accepting most foods including meaty foods like bloodworm, prawn, mussels and sinking catfish wafers. A predatory fish towards smaller fish and invertebrates.
These fish are predators so are best kept in species tanks. They will tolerate their own kind. They may work with robust but peaceful larger fish. Males are more slender than females. No other external differences. A voracious eater accepting most foods including meaty foods like bloodworm, prawn, mussels and sinking catfish wafers. A predatory fish towards smaller fish and invertebrates.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/9/3/22938218/9616740.jpg)
The Galjoen
is found only along the Southern African coast, it is endemic to our coastal waters. It is confined mostly to shallow water and is often found in rough surf amongst rocks and also occurs close into shore. The colours of the Galjoen vary depending on where they live, for example the Galjoen that inhabit rocky areas are almost completely black, while in sandy areas the colour of the Galjoen is a silver-bronze. It is also known in KwaZulu-Natal as a blackfish or black bream. In other parts of the country the Galjoen is also referred to as the Damba.
is found only along the Southern African coast, it is endemic to our coastal waters. It is confined mostly to shallow water and is often found in rough surf amongst rocks and also occurs close into shore. The colours of the Galjoen vary depending on where they live, for example the Galjoen that inhabit rocky areas are almost completely black, while in sandy areas the colour of the Galjoen is a silver-bronze. It is also known in KwaZulu-Natal as a blackfish or black bream. In other parts of the country the Galjoen is also referred to as the Damba.
Reptiles
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Nile CrocodileThe Saltwater Crocodile is the biggest reptile in the world with the Nile Crocodile being the second. The Nile Crocodile will normally grow to over 4 metres in length. Occasionally individuals around 6 metres in length are encountered. Crocodiles eat a wide variety of prey including mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. The catch their prey by ambushing them.
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Cape CobraThe Cape Cobra is referred to as a 'geelslang' (yellow snake) in Afrikaans and it is not hard to see why. Although their colour varies you do get forms that are bright yellow in colour. These snakes are normally less than 1.5 metres in length but some individuals reach a length of 2 metres or more.
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Common Flap-neck ChameleonThe Common Flap-neck Chameleon is a large chameleon that can reach a length of 35 cm including the tail. It is found over the northern and eastern parts of South Africa. It is also quite widely distributed beyond our borders. The term 'Flap-neck' in its name refers to the flap of skin at the back of its head.
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The Armadillo Girdled Lizard
is covered in plates and scales and spikes giving it an unusual look. Their defence mechanism when threatened, and they are away from the security of the rocks, is to roll into a ball by biting and hanging on to their tail. It is found in dry portions of the Karoo in the extreme west of South Africa. Armadillo Girdled Lizards make their home in cracks in rocks where they live in family groups. These reptiles feed on insects.
Armadillo Girdled Lizards give birth to one or two babies towards the end of summer.
is covered in plates and scales and spikes giving it an unusual look. Their defence mechanism when threatened, and they are away from the security of the rocks, is to roll into a ball by biting and hanging on to their tail. It is found in dry portions of the Karoo in the extreme west of South Africa. Armadillo Girdled Lizards make their home in cracks in rocks where they live in family groups. These reptiles feed on insects.
Armadillo Girdled Lizards give birth to one or two babies towards the end of summer.