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: South 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 ….”
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”
Penguins in Africa…?
African Penguins are endangered! Their population is crashing. Their population has declined by 50% in the last 30 years and 80% in the last 50 years. This decline is mainly due to overfishing and habitat destruction. African penguins live in Southern Africa mainly Namibia, South Africa and the islands in between. They hunt for fishContinueContinue reading “Penguins in Africa…?”
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”
Caracals
Caracals have a wide distribution range, from Africa to the Middleast to Central Asia. Although they are listed as least concern by the IUCN, caracals are still being impacted by habitat loss and human conflict. The population in Central Asia is considered endangered. Caracals are agile hunters that can jump 10 ft straight up intoContinueContinue reading “Caracals”
Grey Crowned Crane
A Grey Crowned Crane foraging in Kenya Grey Crowned Cranes live in central and southern Africa. They are an ENDANGERED species. Their main threats are habitat loss and the illegal capture of the birds and their eggs. In some places, the cranes are kept in captivity by wealthy families or hotels as a symbol ofContinueContinue reading “Grey Crowned Crane”
Cape Mountain Zebras
The Cape Mountain zebra is listed as vulnerable/threatened by the IUCN. In the early 1900s, they were on the brink of extinction with less than 60 individuals remaining. Luckily conservation efforts brought the population back up. Their main threats are habitat loss and poaching (for their meat). Although conservation has brought the population up significantly,ContinueContinue reading “Cape Mountain Zebras”
Eye of the Wild Photography 