Wildlife Archives - Page 236 of 279

Mini-potamus

The pygmy hippopotamus looks like a mini version of its larger relative, the hippopotamus The pygmy hippo has adaptations for spending time in the water but is much less aquatic than the hippo. Its nose and ears close underwater just like a hippo’s do, but its head is rounder and narrower, its neck is proportionally longer, and its eyes are not on the top of its head. The pygmy hippo’s feet are less webbed and its toes more free than those of the hippo, and its legs are longer than its huge cousin’s. The pygmy hippo’s teeth are also different: it only has one pair of incisors, while the hippo has two or three.

21 February 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife

Forage

Helmeted guinea fowl are characterized by their black or grey plumage with vivid white spots. Their bald faces and necks have blue skin with red wattles (males’ wattles are larger than those of the females). The beak is short and stout and there is a brown or orange helmet on their crown that has a triangular horn shape. The wings are medium in size, with a rounded edge. Although they are accomplished flyers, they prefer to run on the ground. These birds are omnivorous and they forage for food. They are opportunistic eaters and will dine on a variety of seeds, fruit, vegetables, snails, small mammals, worms, spiders, frogs, lizards, and small snakes. They usually feed in the early morning and late afternoon.

14 February 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife

Tangled

Greater kudus have a narrow body with long legs, and their coats can range from brown/bluish grey to reddish brown. They possess between 4 and 12 vertical white stripes along their torso. The head tends to be darker in colour than the rest of the body, and exhibits a small white chevron which runs between the eyes.

13 February 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife