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Grazer

Gemsbok (Oryx) are light brownish-grey to tan in colour, with lighter patches toward the bottom rear of the rump. Their tails are long and black in colour. A blackish stripe extends from the chin down the lower edge of the neck, through the juncture of the shoulder and leg along the lower flank of each side to the blackish section of the rear leg. They have muscular necks and shoulders, and their legs have white ‘socks’ with a black patch on the front of both the front legs and both genders have long, straight horns.
PS. Also known as the “Honda” antelope, due to the white markings on the face resembling the Honda logo 🙂

18 July 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife

Fluff

The common eland is the slowest antelope, with a peak speed of 40 kph that tires them quickly. However, they can maintain a 22 kph trot indefinitely. Elands are capable of jumping up to 2.5 m from a standing start when startled. The common eland’s life expectancy is generally between 15 and 20 years. Eland herds are accompanied by a loud clicking sound that has been subject to considerable speculation. It is believed that the weight of the animal causes the two halves of its hooves to splay apart, and the clicking is the result of the hoof snapping together when the animal raises its leg. The sound carries some distance from a herd and may be a form of communication.

17 July 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife

Siesta

The female rhino is pregnant for about 18 months (depending on the species of the rhino), after which only one calf is born. At birth, this calf will weigh between 25 and 45 kilograms. It is born fairly weak but is able to stand up and begin walking within minutes of the birth, an incredible feat for one so young. Within the first few hours of its life, it will begin to suckle milk from its mother, which it will continue to do until about 18 months of age. The mother will allow her calf to drink milk exclusively for the first week or two. After that, she will take it to areas with soft grass and teach it to eat the young, juicy vegetation of the area. The rhino calf is born without a horn.

9 July 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife