Welcome to the untamed wilderness of Welgevonden Game Reserve, where over 65 diverse mammal species roam freely across 36,000 hectares of pristine African bushveld. Have you ever dreamed of witnessing a majestic elephant silhouetted against the sunset, or tracking a leopard as it stalks through the savanna? From the iconic "Big Five" to the smallest and most elusive creatures, Welgevonden offers an authentic safari experience without the crowds. This comprehensive guide will help you identify mammals, understand their behaviors, and maximize your chances of unforgettable wildlife encounters during your stay.
| Mammal Species | Family Group | Habitat | Size | Behavior | Diet | Viewing Times | Spotting Difficulty | Fascinating Fact | Seasonal Presence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Panthera leo |
Felidae (Cats) |
|
Male: 190kg, Female: 130kg | Social predators living in prides. Males defend territory while females hunt cooperatively. | Large herbivores including buffalo, zebra, wildebeest | Dawn Dusk Night |
|
Lions can sleep up to 20 hours per day and are the only cats with males distinctly different in appearance from females. | Year-round |
|
Loxodonta africana |
Elephantidae |
|
Male: 6000kg, Female: 3000kg | Highly intelligent and social animals with complex family structures led by matriarchs. | Grasses, leaves, bark, fruits, roots | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Elephants can communicate over long distances using infrasound that travels through the ground, undetectable to human ears. | Year-round |
|
Panthera pardus |
Felidae (Cats) |
|
Male: 70kg, Female: 40kg | Solitary and secretive. Known for dragging prey into trees to avoid scavengers. | Medium-sized antelope, warthogs, monkeys | Dawn Dusk Night |
|
Leopards can carry prey weighing up to twice their own body weight up into trees. | Year-round |
|
Ceratotherium simum |
Rhinocerotidae |
|
Male: 2300kg, Female: 1700kg | Grazers that can be found in small groups. Males are territorial. | Short grasses | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Despite the name, white rhinos aren't white. The name comes from the Dutch "wijd" (wide) referring to their wide, square lip for grazing. | Year-round |
|
Acinonyx jubatus |
Felidae (Cats) |
|
40-65kg | Solitary or small groups. Known for incredible speed and hunting in daylight. | Small to medium antelopes, young warthogs | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Cheetahs can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3 seconds, making them the fastest land animals. | Year-round |
|
Aepyceros melampus |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 60kg, Female: 45kg | Gregarious, forming large herds. Males establish territories during breeding season. | Mixed feeder: grasses, leaves, fruits | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Impalas can leap up to 3 meters high and 10 meters long to escape predators, and often do so in a zigzag pattern. | Year-round |
|
Manis temminckii |
Manidae |
|
8-15kg | Nocturnal and solitary. Rolls into a ball when threatened. | Ants, termites | Night |
|
Pangolins are the only mammals completely covered in scales, which are made of keratin - the same material as human fingernails. | Year-round |
|
Kobus ellipsiprymnus |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 270kg, Female: 200kg | Forms small herds. Never strays far from water sources. Has a distinctive white ring on the rump. | Grasses, reeds, foliage | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Waterbuck have a special oily secretion that gives them a distinctive smell and makes their meat unpalatable to most predators. | Year-round |
|
Connochaetus taurinus |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 250kg, Female: 180kg | Highly gregarious, forming large herds. Known for unusual appearance and loping gait. | Short grasses | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Wildebeest calves can stand and run within minutes of being born - a crucial adaptation for survival in predator-rich environments. | Year-round |
|
Orycteropus afer |
Orycteropodidae |
|
60-80kg | Solitary and nocturnal. Powerful digger that creates extensive burrow systems. | Ants, termites | Night |
|
Aardvarks can dig through the concrete-hard crust of a termite mound in minutes and can close their nostrils to keep out dust while digging. | Year-round |
|
Cercopithecus pygerythus |
Cercopithecidae (Old World Monkeys) |
|
Male: 7kg, Female: 5kg | Highly social, living in troops of 10-50 individuals. Known for their complex vocalizations and alarm calls. | Fruits, seeds, flowers, insects, small vertebrates | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Vervet monkeys have distinct alarm calls for different predators, enabling other troop members to respond appropriately (climbing trees for leopards, looking up for eagles). | Year-round |
|
Mellivora capensis |
Mustelidae (Weasels) |
|
9-14kg | Solitary and fearless. Known for their tenacity and ability to withstand bee stings and snake venom. | Omnivorous: rodents, reptiles, insects, honey, roots, fruits | Dawn Dusk Night |
|
Honey badgers have loose, thick skin that allows them to twist around and bite an attacker even when caught. Their skin is also resistant to arrow and spear penetration. | Year-round |
|
Taurotragus oryx |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 900kg, Female: 600kg | Forms mixed herds. Despite size, can jump over 2.5m fences. Males produce distinctive clicking sound when walking. | Browse and graze: leaves, fruits, seed pods, grasses | Dawn Dusk |
|
Despite being the world's largest antelope (up to 900kg), eland can jump over 2.5-meter fences from a standing start. | Year-round |
|
Hyaena brunnea |
Hyaenidae |
|
40-55kg | Primarily scavengers. Less social than spotted hyenas but still live in small clans. | Primarily carrion, also small mammals, eggs, fruits | Dusk Night |
|
Brown hyenas have been recorded traveling over 30km in a single night while foraging, and their excellent memory allows them to relocate food caches months later. | Year-round |
|
Tragelaphus scriptus |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 70kg, Female: 40kg | Solitary and secretive. Most active at dawn and dusk. Territorial. | Browse: leaves, twigs, fruits | Dawn Dusk |
|
Despite their shy nature, bushbuck can be surprisingly aggressive when cornered and have been known to kill hunting dogs and injure humans with their sharp horns. | Year-round |
|
Felis caracal |
Felidae (Cats) |
|
13-18kg | Solitary and secretive. Excellent climbers and jumpers, known for their ability to catch birds in mid-air. | Small mammals, birds, reptiles | Dawn Dusk Night |
|
Caracals can leap up to 3 meters high to catch birds in flight and have been trained for hunting in ancient Persia, similar to how cheetahs were used. | Year-round |
|
Hippopotamus amphibius |
Hippopotamidae |
|
Male: 1800kg, Female: 1400kg | Semi-aquatic, spending days in water and emerging at night to graze. Highly territorial and aggressive. | Grasses, aquatic plants | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Despite weighing up to 1800kg, hippos can't swim or float. They run along river bottoms and can hold their breath for up to 5 minutes. | Year-round |
|
Alcelaphus buselaphus |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 150kg, Female: 120kg | Forms small herds of 5-20 animals. Has a distinctive rocking-horse gait when running. | Short grasses | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Hartebeest can maintain a speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) for over 2 km when being chased, making them one of the most enduring antelopes. | Year-round |
|
Potamochoerus porcus |
Suidae (Pigs) |
|
Male: 80kg, Female: 60kg | Nocturnal, secretive and intelligent. Lives in small family groups. | Omnivorous: roots, bulbs, fruits, eggs, carrion | Dusk Night |
|
Unlike warthogs, bushpigs don't use burrows but build nests of vegetation. Males help protect and raise the young, unusual behavior for wild pigs. | Year-round |
|
Proteles cristatus |
Hyaenidae |
|
8-12kg | Nocturnal and shy. Despite being related to hyenas, they're specialized insectivores. | Almost exclusively termites, especially harvester termites | Night |
|
Despite looking like a small hyena, the aardwolf can consume up to 300,000 termites in a single night using its sticky tongue. | Year-round |
|
Raphicerus campestris |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
11-13kg | Solitary or in pairs. Freezes when threatened before sprinting away. Territorial. | Leaves, fruits, flowers, occasionally insects | Dawn Dusk |
|
Steenbok can go their entire lives without drinking water, getting all the moisture they need from the plants they eat. | Year-round |
|
Hippotragus equinus |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 300kg, Female: 260kg | Forms small herds of 5-20 animals led by a dominant male. Can be aggressive when threatened. | Medium to long grasses, some browse | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Roan antelope bulls engage in ritual combat, kneeling on their front legs before clashing horns - a behavior rarely seen in other antelope species. | Year-round |
|
Papio ursinus |
Cercopithecidae (Old World Monkeys) |
|
Male: 30kg, Female: 15kg | Highly social, living in troops of 20-100 individuals with complex hierarchies. Males twice the size of females. | Omnivorous: fruits, seeds, insects, small vertebrates | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Baboons have been observed "kidnapping" feral dogs to raise as pets, with the dogs later joining in hunting activities with the troop. | Year-round |
|
Canis mesomelas |
Canidae (Dogs) |
|
7-12kg | Monogamous pairs maintain territories. Known for their intelligence and adaptability. | Omnivorous: small mammals, birds, insects, fruits, carrion | Dawn Dusk Night |
|
Jackals mate for life, with offspring from previous years often staying to help raise new pups, creating a small family unit similar to wolf packs. | Year-round |
|
Oreotragus oreotragus |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
10-18kg | Lives in monogamous pairs. Specialized for rock-dwelling with unique hoof structure for balance. | Browse: leaves, buds, fruits, flowers | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Klipspringers stand on the tips of their hooves (like ballet dancers) to navigate rocky terrain, and their specialized hollow hair provides excellent insulation in changing temperatures. | Year-round |
|
Sylvicapra grimmia |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
15-25kg | Solitary and territorial. Name means "diver" in Dutch, referring to their habit of diving into vegetation when threatened. | Omnivorous: leaves, fruits, flowers, insects, small birds | Dawn Dusk |
|
Unlike most antelopes, duikers are opportunistic omnivores that will eat insects, birds, and even scavenge meat from predator kills. | Year-round |
|
Hystrix africaeaustralis |
Hystricidae |
|
10-24kg | Nocturnal, monogamous pairs. Defends with quills that detach easily when threatened. | Bulbs, tubers, roots, fallen fruits | Night |
|
Porcupines can't shoot their quills, but they can reverse direction suddenly, ramming predators with their quills which detach easily into the predator's skin. | Year-round |
|
Procavia capensis |
Procaviidae |
|
4kg | Highly social, living in colonies. Surprising relation to elephants despite rabbit-like appearance. | Herbivorous: grasses, leaves, fruits | Day |
|
Despite their small size, rock dassies are the closest living relatives to elephants, with similar skull structures, tusks (tiny), and internal organ arrangement. | Year-round |
|
Felis lybica |
Felidae (Cats) |
|
3-6.5kg | Solitary and territorial. Ancestor of domestic cats. Most active at dawn and dusk. | Small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects | Dawn Dusk Night |
|
African wildcats are the direct ancestors of domestic cats, with domestication beginning around 10,000 years ago in the Near East. They can still interbreed with domestic cats. | Year-round |
|
Galerella sanguinea |
Herpestidae (Mongooses) |
|
0.5-1kg | Diurnal and solitary. Agile hunter that moves with darting, quick movements. | Insects, rodents, small reptiles, birds | Day |
|
Slender mongooses are immune to many snake venoms and can kill and eat highly venomous snakes like cobras and black mambas without being affected. | Year-round |
|
Mungos mungo |
Herpestidae (Mongooses) |
|
1.5-2.5kg | Highly social, living in troops of 10-40 individuals. Communicates with varied vocalizations. | Insects, small vertebrates, eggs, fruits | Dawn Day |
|
Banded mongooses have a unique "escort system" where specific adults are assigned to specific pups, feeding and protecting only their designated young. | Year-round |
|
Helogale parvula |
Herpestidae (Mongooses) |
|
0.2-0.3kg | Africa's smallest carnivore. Lives in groups of 8-30 with clear dominance hierarchy. | Insects, small reptiles, eggs | Dawn Day |
|
Dwarf mongooses have a symbiotic relationship with hornbills, with the birds acting as lookouts while mongooses flush out insects for the birds to eat. | Year-round |
|
Ichneumia albicauda |
Herpestidae (Mongooses) |
|
3-5kg | Largest mongoose species. Nocturnal and solitary. Uses bushy white tail as a signal flag. | Insects, small mammals, reptiles, fruits | Dusk Night |
|
Unlike most mongooses, white-tailed mongooses are strictly nocturnal and have exceptional night vision, with specialized reflective cells in their eyes. | Year-round |
|
Genetta genetta |
Viverridae |
|
1.5-2.5kg | Nocturnal and arboreal. Cat-like with excellent climbing ability. Solitary. | Small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects | Night |
|
Genets have retractable claws like cats despite not being felines. They also have specialized scent glands that release a musk similar to civets but less potent. | Year-round |
|
Genetta tigrina |
Viverridae |
|
1.5-3kg | Nocturnal and arboreal. Larger spots than small-spotted genet. Excellent balance with long tail. | Small vertebrates, insects, fruits | Night |
|
Large-spotted genets can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees to climb down trees headfirst, similar to squirrels. | Year-round |
|
Otocyon megalotis |
Canidae (Dogs) |
|
3-5.5kg | Monogamous, living in pairs or small family groups. Males help raise young. Distinctive large ears. | Primarily insects, especially harvester termites | Dusk Night |
|
The bat-eared fox has the most teeth of any canid (46-50), and its huge ears can detect insects moving underground. These ears also act as radiators to release heat. | Year-round |
|
Ictonyx striatus |
Mustelidae (Weasels) |
|
0.5-1.5kg | Solitary and nocturnal. Defends itself with foul-smelling secretions, similar to skunks. | Rodents, birds, eggs, insects, reptiles | Night |
|
When threatened, the striped polecat performs an elaborate threat display, standing on its front legs with its rear in the air before releasing its potent anal gland spray. | Year-round |
|
Aonyx capensis |
Mustelidae (Weasels) |
|
10-18kg | Semi-aquatic, excellent swimmer. Lives in small family groups. Most active at dawn and dusk. | Crabs, fish, frogs, mollusks | Dawn Dusk |
|
Unlike most other otters, Cape clawless otters have no claws on most of their digits, instead using sensitive fingertips to feel for prey under rocks and in murky water. | Year-round |
|
Damaliscus lunatus |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 140kg, Female: 120kg | Forms small herds of 6-10 animals. Males establish territories with dung middens. | Primarily grass | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Tsessebe are the fastest antelopes in Africa, capable of sustaining speeds of 80-90 km/h (50-55 mph), outpacing even cheetahs in long-distance chases. | Year-round |
|
Redunca fulvorufola |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 30kg, Female: 25kg | Forms small family groups of 2-8 animals. Whistles sharply when alarmed before fleeing. | Grasses and herbs | Dawn Dusk |
|
Mountain reedbucks have a distinctive fleeing behavior - they bounce stiff-legged with their white undertail raised, resembling a bouncing cotton ball on the hillside. | Year-round |
|
Redunca arundinum |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 80kg, Female: 60kg | Usually seen in pairs or small family groups. Males whistle through nostrils when alarmed. | Grasses and reeds | Dawn Dusk |
|
When threatened, reedbucks don't immediately flee but crouch down in tall grass with their necks extended flat along the ground - a unique behavior that often fools predators. | Year-round |
|
Lepus saxatalis |
Leporidae (Hares & Rabbits) |
|
1.5-4.5kg | Solitary and nocturnal. Distinguished from rabbits by their larger size and longer ears. | Grasses, herbs, leaves, bark | Dusk Night |
|
Unlike rabbits, scrub hare young are born fully furred with open eyes and can run within hours of birth. The mother visits them only once a day to nurse. | Year-round |
|
Pronolagus randensis |
Leporidae (Hares & Rabbits) |
|
1.5-2.5kg | Nocturnal and secretive. Excellent climber on rocky terrain. Usually solitary. | Grasses, herbs, shrubs | Dusk Night |
|
Unlike other rabbits, red rock rabbits don't dig burrows but instead shelter in rock crevices, and their reddish coat provides perfect camouflage against the iron-rich rocks of their habitat. | Year-round |
|
Paraxerus cepapi |
Sciuridae (Squirrels) |
|
0.2-0.25kg | Diurnal and highly active. Lives in small family groups. Excellent climber with acrobatic ability. | Seeds, nuts, fruits, insects | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Tree squirrels have a mutualistic relationship with dwarf mongooses, often sharing tree cavities and warning each other of danger with their distinctive alarm calls. | Year-round |
|
Pedetes capensis |
Pedetidae |
|
3-4kg | Nocturnal with powerful hind legs for jumping. Not a true hare but more closely related to porcupines. | Grasses, roots, tubers | Night |
|
Despite its name, the springhare is neither a hare nor a rodent but belongs to its own unique order. It can leap distances of up to 9 meters (30 feet) when escaping predators. | Year-round |
|
Atelerix frontalis |
Erinaceidae |
|
0.3-0.7kg | Nocturnal and solitary. Rolls into a ball when threatened, presenting spines to predators. | Insects, snails, small vertebrates, eggs | Night |
|
Hedgehogs have between 5,000-7,000 spines, each lasting about a year before being replaced. They're also immune to many snake venoms and can eat venomous snakes without ill effect. | Year-round |
|
Galago moholi |
Galagidae |
|
0.15-0.2kg | Nocturnal with excellent night vision. Exceptional leapers with long tails for balance. | Insects, tree gum, fruits | Night |
|
Bushbabies can leap over 7 meters between trees and rotate their heads 180 degrees like owls. Their calls sound eerily like human babies crying, hence their name. | Year-round |
|
Otolemur crassicaudatus |
Galagidae |
|
1-1.5kg | Larger than lesser bushbaby with distinctive thick tail. Nocturnal with powerful leaping ability. | Fruits, gum, insects, small vertebrates | Night |
|
Thick-tailed bushbabies mark their territories with urine on their hands and feet, then spread the scent as they move through their territory - a behavior called "urine washing." | Year-round |
|
Hippotragus niger |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 270kg, Female: 220kg | Adult males have glossy black coats with white underparts and impressive curved horns. Forms herds led by a dominant female. | Medium to long grasses, herbs | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Sable antelopes are known to fight back fiercely against predators, even lions, by getting down on their knees and sweeping their long, curved horns from side to side. | Year-round |
|
Civettictis civetta |
Viverridae |
|
7-20kg | Solitary and nocturnal. Known for distinctive black and white spotted pattern. | Omnivorous: fruits, insects, rodents, reptiles, eggs | Night |
|
Civets produce a musky secretion called "civetone" that has been used in perfumes for centuries. One civet can produce about 4g of this valuable substance per week. | Year-round |
|
Canis adustus |
Canidae (Dogs) |
|
7-12kg | Less common than black-backed jackal. Monogamous pairs maintain territories. More omnivorous than other jackals. | Omnivorous: small mammals, fruits, berries, insects | Dawn Dusk Night |
|
Unlike other jackals which mainly scavenge and hunt, side-striped jackals have a diet that can include up to 30% fruits and berries, making them important seed dispersers. | Year-round |
|
Lycaon pictus |
Canidae (Dogs) |
|
20-30kg | Highly social with complex pack structure. One of Africa's most efficient predators with up to 80% hunting success rate. | Medium to large ungulates | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Wild dogs have unique vocalizations that sound like bird calls and each has a distinctive coat pattern like a human fingerprint. They're also among the few animals that feed their young and sick pack members first. | Occasional |
|
Tragelaphus strepsiceros |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 270kg, Female: 210kg | Males have magnificent spiral horns up to 1.8m long. Excellent jumpers despite large size. | Browse: leaves, shoots, fruits | Dawn Dusk |
|
Despite weighing up to 270kg, kudus can clear fences and obstacles over 2.5 meters high with seemingly effortless jumps. | Year-round |
|
Leptailurus serval |
Felidae (Cats) |
|
12-18kg | Solitary hunter with exceptional hearing. Known for high leaps to pounce on prey from above. | Rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs | Dawn Dusk Night |
|
Servals have the largest ears relative to head size of any cat, and the highest hunting success rate (up to 50%) of any wild cat species. | Year-round |
|
Giraffa camelopardalis |
Giraffidae |
|
Male: 1200kg, Female: 830kg | Social, forming loose herds. Use their height advantage to spot predators at a distance. | Leaves from tall trees, especially Acacia | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Giraffes have the same number of neck vertebrae (seven) as humans, just vastly elongated. They also have the highest blood pressure of any land mammal. | Year-round |
|
Cynictis penicillata |
Herpestidae (Mongooses) |
|
0.5-0.9kg | Diurnal and social, living in extended family groups. Constructs complex burrow systems. | Insects, small rodents, lizards, eggs | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Yellow mongooses often share their burrow systems with meerkats and ground squirrels, creating mixed-species "villages" for mutual protection against predators. | Year-round |
|
Suricata suricatta |
Herpestidae (Mongooses) |
|
0.6-1kg | Highly social, living in colonies called "mobs" or "gangs." Sentinels take turns watching for predators. | Insects, small vertebrates, eggs, some plant matter | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Meerkats have black patches around their eyes that reduce glare from the sun, acting like built-in sunglasses that help them spot aerial predators even in bright conditions. | Year-round |
|
Antidorcas marsupialis |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 45kg, Female: 35kg | Known for their distinctive "pronking" - high leaps with arched backs and stiff legs. Forms mixed herds. | Grasses, leaves, succulent plants | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Springboks can "pronk" (jump with all four legs off the ground) up to 4 meters high, and can reach speeds of 88 km/h (55 mph), making them among Africa's fastest antelopes. | Year-round |
|
Diceros bicornis |
Rhinocerotidae |
|
Male: 1400kg, Female: 1100kg | Browser with hooked upper lip. More aggressive and solitary than white rhinos. Critically endangered. | Leafy plants, branches, bushes | Dawn Dusk Night |
|
Despite weighing up to 1.4 tons, black rhinos can run at speeds of up to 55 km/h (34 mph) and can change direction surprisingly quickly while running. | Year-round |
|
Equus quagga |
Equidae (Horses) |
|
Male: 350kg, Female: 320kg | Forms harems led by a stallion. Stripes may help confuse predators and deter biting flies. | Primarily short grasses, occasionally browse | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Plains zebras communicate with facial expressions similar to horses but have better night vision. A group of zebras is called a "dazzle" due to the confusing visual effect of their stripes when moving together. | Year-round |
|
Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 85kg, Female: 75kg | Distinctive white face blaze. Forms small herds. Males defend territories during breeding season. | Short grass | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Blesboks were once so numerous in South Africa that early explorers described them as covering the plains "as far as the eye could see." They were saved from extinction in the late 19th century when their numbers dropped to just a few hundred. | Year-round |
|
Aonyx capensis |
Mustelidae (Weasels) |
|
12-21kg | Semi-aquatic and predominantly nocturnal. Lacks claws on most digits, using sensitive fingers to find prey. | Crabs, fish, frogs, aquatic insects | Dawn Dusk |
|
Unlike most otters that use their webbed feet to swim, African clawless otters primarily use their powerful tails for propulsion through water. | Year-round |
|
Tragelaphus angasii |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 125kg, Female: 70kg | Strong sexual dimorphism - males dark with spiral horns, females reddish with white stripes. Shy and secretive. | Browse and graze: leaves, fruits, flowers, grasses | Dawn Dusk |
|
Male nyalas perform a distinctive lateral display when threatened, making themselves appear larger by raising their white dorsal mane and walking stiffly with an exaggerated gait. | Year-round |
|
Syncerus caffer |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 800kg, Female: 750kg | Highly social, living in large herds. Known for their unpredictable and sometimes aggressive nature. | Grasses, herbs | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Buffalo herds make decisions democratically - when resting, individuals will stand, face a certain direction, then lie back down. When the majority have indicated a preferred direction, the entire herd will move that way. | Year-round |
|
Crocuta crocuta |
Hyaenidae |
|
Male: 60kg, Female: 70kg | Highly social, living in matriarchal clans. Contrary to myth, they are skilled hunters, not just scavengers. | Medium to large ungulates, carrion | Dusk Night |
|
Spotted hyenas have one of the most complex social structures of any carnivore and can digest bones, hooves, and even teeth with their powerful jaws and digestive system. | Year-round |
|
Xerus inauris |
Sciuridae (Squirrels) |
|
0.5-0.7kg | Highly social, living in colonies. Uses bushy tail as a sunshade. Diurnal activity pattern. | Seeds, nuts, roots, bulbs, insects | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Ground squirrels use their bushy tails as parasols to shade themselves in the hot sun, and have been observed engaging in "sand bathing" where they rub sand through their fur to remove parasites. | Year-round |
|
Oryx gazella |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
Male: 240kg, Female: 210kg | Both sexes have impressive straight horns. Forms herds of 10-40 animals. Well adapted to arid conditions. | Grasses, leaves, tubers, wild melons | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Gemsboks can survive in extreme desert conditions by allowing their body temperature to rise to over 45°C (113°F) during the day, avoiding water loss through sweating. | Year-round |
|
Cephalophus natalensis |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
|
12-14kg | Secretive and shy. Distinctive reddish coat. Lives alone or in pairs. Active mainly at dawn and dusk. | Fallen fruits, leaves, flowers, occasional insects | Dawn Dusk |
|
Red duikers create a network of tunnel-like pathways through dense vegetation that they use regularly. When alarmed, they freeze before suddenly darting away, giving them their name which means "diver" in Dutch. | Year-round |
|
Equus zebra |
Equidae (Horses) |
|
Male: 300kg, Female: 250kg | Adapted to rugged terrain with exceptional climbing ability. Forms small family groups. | Mountain grasses, herbs | Dawn Day Dusk |
|
Mountain zebras have a distinctive "grid iron" pattern on their rump and lack the shadow stripes seen in plains zebras. They have specially adapted hooves for climbing rocky terrain. | Year-round |
|
Neotragus moschatus |
Bovidae (Antelopes & Buffalo) |
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4-6kg | One of Africa's smallest antelopes. Territorial and solitary. Active mostly at night. | Fallen leaves, fruits, flowers | Dusk Night |
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Sunis communicate through scent glands below their eyes, marking vegetation to define territories. Males and females maintain separate but overlapping territories. | Year-round |
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Atilax paludinosus |
Herpestidae (Mongooses) |
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2-5kg | Semi-aquatic and nocturnal. Solitary hunter that specializes in aquatic prey. | Crabs, fish, frogs, mollusks, insects | Dusk Night |
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Marsh mongooses have partially webbed feet for swimming and specialized curved claws for extracting crabs and mollusks from their shells and hiding places. | Year-round |
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Genetta genetta |
Viverridae |
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1.5-2.5kg | Nocturnal and arboreal with excellent climbing skills. Solitary hunter with cat-like appearance. | Small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, fruits | Night |
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Genets can rotate their feet 180 degrees, allowing them to climb down trees headfirst. They also use their long tails for balance when moving along narrow branches. | Year-round |
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Petrodromus tetradactylus |
Macroscelididae |
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0.1-0.2kg | Active during day. Not actually a shrew, but related to elephants. Uses established pathways through vegetation. | Insects, especially ants and termites | Dawn Day Dusk |
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Despite their tiny size, elephant shrews are more closely related to elephants than to true shrews. They're monogamous and can run at speeds up to 28 km/h (17 mph). | Year-round |
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Hyaena brunnea |
Hyaenidae |
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40-45kg | Primarily scavenger rather than hunter. Lives in small clans. Nocturnal with distinctive shaggy coat. | Primarily carrion, small vertebrates, insects, fruits | Dusk Night |
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Brown hyenas can travel up to 35 km (22 miles) in a single night while foraging. Their jaws are strong enough to crush the bones of a giraffe, extracting nutrients other animals can't access. | Year-round |
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Dendrohyrax arboreus |
Procaviidae |
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2-4kg | Nocturnal and arboreal. Despite rodent-like appearance, closely related to elephants. Known for loud, distinctive calls at night. | Leaves, fruits, bark, twigs | Night |
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Tree hyraxes produce haunting, screaming calls at night that can be heard over 1 km away. They have specialized foot pads with constantly moist glandular tissue that creates suction, allowing them to climb smooth-barked trees. | Year-round |
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Hystrix cristata |
Hystricidae |
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10-24kg | Nocturnal and monogamous. Defends with quills that detach easily when threatened. Africa's largest rodent. | Roots, bulbs, tubers, bark, fallen fruits | Night |
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Porcupines collect bones and chew on them to sharpen their teeth and obtain calcium. Their dens often contain extensive "bone graveyards" of collected skeletal remains. | Year-round |
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Lepus microtis |
Leporidae (Hares & Rabbits) |
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1.5-3kg | Nocturnal and solitary. Relies on speed and zigzag running to evade predators. | Grasses, herbs, crops | Dusk Night |
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Savanna hares don't dig burrows but create shallow depressions called "forms" in the grass. Their young are born fully furred with eyes open and can run within hours of birth. | Year-round |
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