Meerkats are members of the mongoose family. They live in the African savannah and yes like Timon they do eat insects, grubs and termites. They also eat scorpions, luckily they are immune to most venoms. Meerkats live in large groups called mobs, clans or gangs. The mob is led by an alpha female, called theContinueContinue reading “A Mob of Meerkats”
Tag Archives: africa
The elephant’s closest living land relative is ….
….The hyrax Hyraxes may look like rodents but they are actually cousins of the elephant. Elephants, hyraxes, dugongs, and manatees all share a common ancestor. There are several unique physical characteristics that hyraxes and elephants share. Both have tusks formed from their incisors, instead of their canines like other tusked animals. Both have flattened, hoof-likeContinueContinue reading “The elephant’s closest living land relative is ….”
A Global Conservation Story
The Kihansi Spray Toad is the first extinct in the wild amphibian to be reintroduced to its natural habitat, the Kihansi Falls in the Udzungwa Mountains in Tanzania, Africa. This toad lives only in the spray zone of the falls, where there is plenty of mist. In 2000 the water flow was diverted to powerContinueContinue reading “A Global Conservation Story”
Humans are killing their closest living relative!
We are pushing our closest cousins towards extinction. Chimpanzees share 98.7% of their genes with us. But humans and chimps do not mix. There has been an increase in human-chimp conflicts. This is largely due to deforestation. And the encroaching human population. Other threats to the species include disease, the illegal pet trade, and being poachedContinueContinue reading “Humans are killing their closest living relative!”
The Big Macs of the Savannah
Impalas are known as the big macs of the savannah because everything eats them. They also have a black M pattern on their butts that looks like the golden arches. Impalas are incredible jumpers, they can jump as far as 33 ft (10 m) and as high as 10ft (3 m).
The Great Gerenuk
Gerenuks are considered near threatened by the IUCN. Meaning that their population is decreasing. Their biggest threat is the loss and fragmentation of their habitat. Gerenuks are also known as giraffe gazelles. In order to reach certain foods gerenuks stand on their hind legs and stretch out their necks.
Honey Badger Don’t Care
Honey badgers are known for their toughness, strength, ferocity and persistence. They are listed as the “world’s most fearless animal” in the 2002 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Secretary Bird
The secretary bird is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Their biggest threat is habitat loss. These birds live across sub-Saharan Africa. They can fly but they prefer to walk. Secretary birds have the longest legs of any bird of prey. They prey on snakes, lizards, amphibians, and small mammals. They use theirContinueContinue reading “The Secretary Bird”
Leaping Lemurs
Ringtail lemurs are listed as endangered by the IUCN. Their population has decreased 95% since 2000. The lemurs biggest threat is habitat loss and degradation. Followed by being hunted for bushmeat and the illegal pet trade. Ringtail lemurs live in Madagascar, an island of the east coast of Africa. It is home to over 200,000ContinueContinue reading “Leaping Lemurs”
African Elephants
African elephants are listed as vulnerable. Poaching is still a big threat to elephants, even though CITES banned the global trade of ivory in 1989. Habitat loss and human conflict are also threats to the survival of the species. Elephants are the world’s largest land mammal. They are intelligent, beautiful, unique creatures that I personallyContinueContinue reading “African Elephants”
Eye of the Wild Photography 