Tag: horns

Timid

The bushbuck is closely related to the nyala and the kudu. Rams are graceful in appearance with a dark greyish-brown fur, white spots on the flanks and white socks. Ewes are smaller and lighter in colour than the rams, with more distinct stripes and spots. On the ears, legs, tail, chin and neck, both sexes have geometrically shaped white patches and a white band at the base of the neck. The markings on rams become prominent in their displays of arching their backs, slowly circling one another in a tense, high-stepping gait. This is done in order to maintain the strict age-based hierarchy of dominance amongst the rams, showing that fighting would be unnecessary. Bushbucks are most active during the early morning and part of the night. In the case of being alarmed, they can react by sinking to the ground and lying flat, may leap away or bark hoarsely. When surprised in the open, they stand dead still or slowly walk to the nearest cover. Most of their day is spent grazing and standing. They are the only non-territorial and solitary African antelope. Ewes prefer to limit engagement with their young to no more than a few hours a day, and adult rams actively avoid eye contact with one another. Neither rams nor ewes defend their home ranges, often overlapping with the home ranges of other bushbuck.
Info source: http://southafrica.co.za/bushbuck.html
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The photo was taken during September 2017 at Tshokwane Picnic Spot, Kruger National Park Mpumalanga, South Africa.

Timid

Picture of the day, Wildlife

Curved

The oryx can be considered a symbol of the Namibian Desert, being thoroughbred to the vast hot spaces spotted scantily with thorn trees. The oryx has great strength, endurance, and can survive on sparse desert grass. It minimises its water needs by allowing its body temperature to rise from its normal 35.7°C to 45°C, then cooling itself down through evaporation, nasal panting and sweating. It concentrates its urine and absorbs all moisture possible. Bulls measure about 1.2 m at the shoulders and can have a mass of 240 kg. This species has prominent black stripes on the flanks, a long black tail and white and black markings on the face and legs. Both sexes carry horns, the bulls’ being shorter and thicker than that of the cows.
Info source: http://southafrica.co.za/oryx.html
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The photo was taken during February 2017 at Mabula Private Game Reserve, Rooiberg, Limpopo, South Africa.

Curved

Picture of the day, Wildlife

Salty

The graceful impala is a slender, medium-sized antelope so adaptable that it is found from southern Africa to the northern limits of East Africa. The body is reddish-brown with white hair inside the ears, over each eye and on the chin, upper throat, underparts and buttocks. A narrow black line runs along the middle of the lower back to the long tail, and a vertical black stripe appears on the back of each thigh. Unlike other antelopes, impalas have large, brush-like tufts of long, coarse black hair that cover a scent gland located just above the heel on each hind leg. Grazers and browsers, Impalas eat tender young grass shoots in the wet season and herbs and shrubs at other times. During the dry season, they drink daily.
Info source: https://www.sa-venues.com/wildlife/wildlife_impala.php
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The photo was taken during August 2018 at Segaia Bush Retreat, Buffelsdrift, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa.

Salty

Picture of the day, Wildlife