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With a weight of 6 tons and a height that can reach 3.3 m to the shoulder, the elephant is the largest land animal in the world. Tusks of 90 kg have been recorded, but tusks of older bulls generally weigh 50 to 60 kg. Elephants can live as long as 70 years. With as many as 50 000 muscles, the elephant’s trunk is very sensitive. It is essentially a modified nose, able to detect water underground. Using the finger-like appendages at the tip of the trunk, elephants can pick the smallest flowers and twigs, pick a thorn from their feet and pull out strong reeds or grass. There is a common misunderstanding that the joints between the elephant’s feet and body are its knees. They are, in fact, its wrists. Elephants’ foot bones and hand bones are one and the same and have evolved to suit this four-legged mammal. An elephant’s tusks are actually its upper incisors, growing continuously until the elephant dies at about 60 years of age. They use their tusks for obtaining food, self-defence, and males use it for fighting. An elephant’s skin is about 3 cm thick, although it is rather sensitive. Elephants eat great quantities, and in a day can consume up to 272 kg (600 pounds) of tender shoots, grass and tree bark, drinking up to 200 litres of water in a single session. One elephant deposits about 150 kg (330 pounds) of dung per day, and drops a dollop every 15 minutes.
Info source: http://southafrica.co.za/elephant.html
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The photo was taken during September 2017 at Lake Panic Bird Hide, Kruger National Park Mpumalanga, South Africa.

23 August 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife

Perked

The blue wildebeest is identified by its long black mane and beard hanging from the neck and throat. Its dark silver-grey body is marked by dark vertical streaks running down the front quarters. The horns of adult bulls are heavily bossed, and both cows and bulls grow these short, curved horns. Bulls measure about 1.5m at the shoulders and weigh 250 kg. Naturally, cows are slightly smaller and measure 1.4m at the shoulder, with a mass of about 180 kg. The blue wildebeest breeds seasonally. After a gestation period of nine months, single calves are born during the summer months. Just a few minutes after birth, the calves are able to run with the rest of the herd. Blue wildebeest herds migrate seasonally. This is an effective survival strategy during both the wet and dry seasons, allowing the consumption of resources over large areas and curtailing over-utilisation. Blue wildebeests are social animals, living in herds ranging from ten to a few thousand. When the herd is stationary, the bulls maintain and protect the territory. The blue wildebeest is distributed in large parts of Southern Africa but is concentrated in the northeastern regions of South Africa. Population numbers are drastically decreased due to fencing, which inhibits the blue wildebeest’s instinctive migration.
Info source: http://southafrica.co.za/blue-wildebeest.html
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The photo was taken during June 2017 at De Kleine Serengeti Game Lodge, Cullinan, Gauteng, South Africa.

22 August 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife

Clipped

The African buffalo can be found in South Africa. This large wild bovine reaches up to 1.5 meters in shoulder height and can weigh up to 750 kg. While both sexes have horns, bulls are equipped with a heavier boss and upward curving horns. The African buffalo are bulk grazers and convert long grasslands to shorter grassy environments in the bushveld plains of South Africa. As a result, the African buffalo herds have an important impact on the ecological environment in South Africa. The African buffalo is a very sociable animal and can live in herds of up to 100 individuals. These large herds break into smaller groups when drought occurs in South Africa. With a gestation period of 330 days, 1 calf is born at a time. Peak breeding season occurs between March and May, with calves being born between January and April.
The African buffalo are frequently preyed upon by lions. African buffalo are known to rush to the defence of another herd member if it is under attack from a predator. In a large group, they are also able to ward off a pride of preying lions. The African buffalo is a member of the Big Five animals in South Africa, as a wounded buffalo is known to be extremely dangerous. Mainly found in woodland savannas across South Africa, the Kruger National Park has the highest concentration of African buffalo. Smaller populations can be found in Kwazulu Natal and Eastern Cape provinces. The African buffalo have very stern appearances, and have a tendency to look upon you as if you owe them money!
Info source: http://southafrica.co.za/african-buffalo.html
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The photo was taken during September 2017 near Skukuza, Kruger National Park Mpumalanga, South Africa.

21 August 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife