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Regal

The lion’s mane is the most recognizable feature of the species. It starts growing when lions are about a year old. Mane colour varies and darkens with age; research shows its colour and size are influenced by environmental factors such as average ambient temperature. Mane length apparently signals fighting success in male-male relationships; darker-maned individuals may have longer reproductive lives and higher offspring survival, although they suffer in the hottest months of the year. The presence, absence, colour and size of the mane are associated with genetic precondition, sexual maturity, climate and testosterone production; the rule of thumb is that a darker, fuller mane indicates a healthier animal. The main purpose of the mane is thought to be the protection of the neck and throat in territorial fights with rivals.
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Info source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lion

7 March 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife

Contorted

Giraffes give birth to live babies after 14 months of gestation. When a baby giraffe is born, it drops up to 6 feet to the ground and lands on its head. The fall does not hurt the baby giraffe at all but makes it take a deep, first breath. After an hour or so, the baby can walk on her own. When baby giraffes are born, the animals average 6 feet tall and can weigh anywhere from 100 to 150 lbs. Baby giraffes are considered fully mature, or adults, around the time they turn 4 years old. Baby giraffes will gain most of their height and weight in the first three years of life. Baby giraffes begin eating within the first hour of life. For the first four to six months, the babies drink milk from their mother. After that time, the babies begin eating leaves. Baby giraffes are cared for primarily by the mother, who normally gives birth to a single calf. So the mother giraffe usually has only one baby to take care of at a time. If a mother giraffe leaves for any reason, baby giraffes will wait in the same location until she returns. Female giraffes do, at times, create an animal daycare of sorts where one female will watch all the baby giraffes while the other females tend to other matters. Info source: https://sciencing.com/baby-giraffes-8632947.html

5 March 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife

Strut

The beauty of the Egyptian goose is sometimes taken for granted, thanks to its proliferation all over South Africa, and stretching right up to the north of the African continent. It is endemic to the Nile Valley and the entire area south of the Sahara Desert. The Egyptian Goose is related to the shelduck and is a cross between a duck and a goose. The Egyptian goose has vivid markings that are striking and impressive. In fact, they were considered to be holy by the Egyptians, who often included them in works of art due to their undeniable beauty. This bird is pale brown and grey, with rich brown or chestnut markings around the eyes, around the neck (resembling a collar), on a portion of the wings, and under the otherwise black tail. In stark contrast, there are crisp white markings on the wings, complemented by an intense emerald on the secondary feathers of the males. There is also a well-defined brown patch right in the centre of the chest. The female of the species is slightly smaller than her male counterparts. Apart from this, there are few to no clear differences between the sexes.

19 February 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife