Wildlife - South Africa


Lion

The lion is a member of the family Felidae and one of four "big cats". Reaching 272 kg, it is the second-largest cat after the tiger. They currently exist in the wild in sub-Saharan Africa. Until the late Pleistocene (about 10,000 years ago), the lion was the most widespread large land mammal beside man. They were found in most of Africa.


The LionessLioness

Lions live for approximately 10–14 years in the wild, while in captivity they can live over 20 years. They typically inhabit savanna and grassland, although they may take to bush and forest. A lion pride consists of related females and offspring and a small number of dominant males. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates. While lions, in general, do not selectively hunt humans, some have been known to become man-eaters and seek human prey.


The Cheetah

Cheetah

The cheetah is a vulnerable member of the cat family, a poor climber that hunts by speed and stealth. As such, it is placed in its own genus. It is the fastest of all land animals and can reach speeds of up to 110 km/h, in short bursts up to 460 m, and has the ability to accelerate from 0 to 110 km/h in three seconds, faster than most supercars.



Elephant

The elephants are a family in the order Proboscidea in the class Mammalia. They were once classified along with other thick skinned animals in a now invalid order, Pachydermata. There are three living species: the African Bush Elephant, the African Forest Elephant (until recently known collectively as the African Elephant), and the Asian Elephant (also known as the Indian Elephant). Other species have become extinct since the last ice age, which ended about 10,000 years ago, the Mammoth being the most well-known of these.



The Giraffe

Giraffe

The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all land-living animal species. Males can be 4.8 to 5.5 metres tall and weigh up to 1,360 kilograms. The record-sized bull was 5.87 m tall and weighed approximately 2,000 kg. Females are generally slightly shorter and weigh less than the males do.

The ZebraZebra

The Zebra is a member of the horse family, native to eastern and southern Africa. They are best known for their distinctive white and black stripes which come in different patterns unique to each individual. There are four species of zebra. The Plains zebra, Grevy's zebra, Cape Mountain zebra and the Hartmann's Mountain zebra. They can be found an a variety of habitats, such as grasslands, savanna, woodlands, thorny scrublands, mountains and coastal hills.


The Impala

Impala (Rooibok)

Average weight for an Impala is approximately 75 kilograms. They are reddish-brown in color with lighter flanks, and have white underbellies. Males have lyre-shaped horns which can reach up to 90 cm in length. When frightened or startled the whole herd starts leaping about in order to confuse their predator. They can jump distances more than 9 meters and 2.5 meters high. They are prey to almost every large predator.



The Kudu

Kudu

Like many other animals, male kudus can be found in bachelor groups, but they are more likely to be widespread. Males do not have great long shows for dominance it is usually quick and peaceful, because one male will give the most lateral show and stand up front and make himself look big. Calves grow very quickly and at six months are fairly independent of their mothers. When pregnant the female will leave the herd and give birth. They will leave the newborn lying out for 4-5 weeks the longest period of any antelope. Then the calf will start meeting its mother for short periods in times. At 3 or 4 months will be with her constantly.



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