 |
||||||
|
||||||
| Cheetah |
 |
|
A cat with a greyhound chassis. Built for speed lightboned, swaybacked, long, thin legs, and short neck. male wt 77-143 lb. (35-65 kg), ht 28-36 in (70-90 cm); female wt. 20 lb. lighter, height within male range. Tail long (26-32 in [65-80 cm]). Feet small feet with blunt (except dewclaw) unsheathed claws. Head small, round with foreshortened face; relatively small teeth; low, broad ears. Coat short except for ruff of longer hair framing face and short spinal crest; fluffy hair on chest and belly. Color: tawny, with small, solid black spots; white underparts; outer tail ringed black and white; black ear backs, lips, nose and distinctive "tear stains." Juveniles have long, silky fur black with faint spots and a cape of long, blue gray hair. Teats 10 or 12. Still widespread in sub Saharan savannas and arid zones, wherever suitable prey occurs, though generally at very low density. Formerly ranged through North Africa and the Near East to India. An extraordinary lack of genetic diversity, suggesting that at one point it went through a genetic bottleneck (possibly all living cheetahs descend from one female), makes the species peculiarly vulnerable to disease. Cheetahs may be seen at Serengeti NP, medium and long grass plains, Tanzania; Masai Mara NR, Amboseli NP, Kenya; Etosha NP and private game ranches, Namibia. |
| Lion |
 |
| The African Lion (Panthera leo) is found on open grasslands,savannahs, in arid woodlands and semi-deserts from south of the Sahara to South Africa. It is the largest of the African carnivores. Male lions have shaggy manes that begin around 2 years and reaches full growth at 5. The mane is the most striking example of sexual dimorphism in the Order Carnivore. It protects the male's neck during territorial battles with other males. It also makes him look even larger to interlopers. |
| Ostrich |
 |
| The Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the largest of all living birds. It is flightless and has vestigial wings, but no keel (breastbone). It is also the only living bird with only 2 toes. It lives in open arid country in Central and East Africa. It is usually found among groups of wildebeest, antelope, and zebra in what is a mutually beneficial alliance. The hooves of the mammals stir up insects and rodents for the ostrich and the ostrich warns of approaching danger. It can run as fast as 30-40 miles per hour. |
| Leopard |
 |
| The Leopard (Panthera pardus) is found throughout Africa wherever there is cover for concealment. They are also located on the Arabian Peninsula, through Asia, to Korea and Manchuria. They are stealthy, versatile and bold predators. Their carnivorous diet will change to domestic stock if their normal prey has been eliminated. They are the only large predator found in Africa's rain forests. They are most often located in trees and may even drag |
| Impala |
 |
| The Impala (Aepyceros
melampus) inhabits open country from Kenya to the northern part of South
Africa. It is the dominant antelope of Central and South Africa. They
are an "edge" species and prefer light woodlands with firm
footing, but are also found in savannahs and sandy bush communities.
Instead of fleeing when disturbed, it will take shelter in dense
vegetation. |
| Hippo |
 |
| The
males start to test each other with jaw-to-jaw sparing and yawning
contests at about 7 years of age . These rituals include a lot of
fighting and chasing. They are usually harmless fights, but disengaging
can be a problem for the loser who has to expose his body to the teeth
of the winner. Deep gashes can occur at this time. Most of the mating
takes place during the dry season, so aggression is most frequent and
intense at this time. Serious injuries and even death to younger
bystanders can occur as well. |
| Secretary
Bird |
 |
| The
Secretary Bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is mainly a terrestrial bird.
It has long central tail feathers with a lax crest and black tibias. It
is a bird of prey endemic to Africa. It feeds on noxious snakes and
rodents. This particular pair were feeding its young in a nest at the
top of this acacia tree. |
|
copyright ©2002-2003 afritopic.com |
