Water Archives - Page 13 of 65

Trilogy

The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world, standing at around 4-5m high, and the tallest giraffes ever recorded have been up to 5.9m. That’s over a meter higher than a double-decker bus. It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that such a large animal weighs quite a lot as well – up to 1900kg, which is more than most cars! A giraffe’s neck is too short to reach the ground. As a result, it has to awkwardly shuffle and spread its front legs to reach the ground for a drink of water. Fortunately, giraffes only need to drink once every few days, as they can get most of their water from all the plants they eat. Despite being incredibly tall, giraffes still only have seven vertebrae in their necks – which means a giraffe neck has the exact same number of bones as a human neck! A fully grown giraffe can raise or lower its head by up to 5m, so it might actually pass out were it not for a dense network of fine capillaries (the ‘rete mirabile’) that cushions its brain against rapid changes in blood pressure. Other adaptations to prevent sudden giraffe collapse are valves to stop the back-flow of blood and elastic-walled vessels that dilate and constrict to manage the flow.
Info source: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/facts-about-giraffes/
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The photo was taken during September 2017 near Lower Sabie, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

3 July 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife

Greetings!

1. An elephant trunk contains 40 000 different muscles.
The human body only contains 639! This gives us an idea of the immense complexity of this amazing appendage.
2. The elephant trunk is by far the most versatile appendage on the planet
It is used to breathe, drink, eat, smell, snorkel, communicate – as well as being used as a ‘hand’ to touch, feel, hold, grab, pull etc.
3. The trunk is both extremely delicate and extremely strong.
The African elephant has two finger-like tips at the end of its trunk that it uses to clasp smaller objects. The trunk is so delicate it is at times used to wipe or clean their eyes. On the other hand, the trunk is an extremely powerful tool that can pull out trees and lift up to 350 kg (770 lb).
4. Elephants are either left or right-handed.
Baby elephants are born not knowing how to use their trunks, much like baby humans are unable to use their arms and hands. They often stumble over their trunks for the first couple of days, but soon their trunks grow considerably and they gain control. Interestingly, elephants show a preference between grasping objects to the left or right, in the same way, that children are left or right-handed.
5. The elephant’s sense of smell is estimated to be four times that of a bloodhound and they can smell water from miles away.
Info source: https://www.kariega.co.za/blog/elephant-trunks-close-up-photo-and-5-interesting-facts
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The photo was taken during September 2017 near Transport Dam, Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, South Africa.

2 July 2019Picture of the day, Wildlife

Ripples

Robberg Nature Reserve, situated 8km south of Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route, is not only a nature reserve but also a national monument. Rocks from this region date back 120 million years to the break-up of Gondwanaland and evidence of middle and later Stone Age inhabitation has been found in a few of the caves along the peninsula. Visitors can find out more at the Nelson Bay Cave interpretive centre. Some highlight features of a visit here include spotting the rare blue duiker, the Western Cape’s smallest antelope; walking alongside one of the seven climbing-falling dunes on the Cape coastline; and viewing the highest navigational light on the South African coastline, at the Cape Seal Lighthouse (146m above sea level). The reserve also extends 1.8km offshore, providing protection to a range of vulnerable fish species. Visitors can expect inspiring landscapes, exciting dolphin and whale sightings in season, and to be accompanied on their walks or hikes by a variety of bird species and the occasional seal. An overnight hut is available for those who want to spend more time on this beautiful reserve.
Info source: https://www.plett-tourism.co.za/activity/robberg-nature-reserve/
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The photo was taken during October 2016 at Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa.

19 June 2019Landscape, Picture of the day