Greater Kudu

Introduction: The greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) is the second tallest antelope on the continent and bulls have long, spiral horns which reach record lengths of up to 1.8m. Horns grow to their full length at the age of 6 years. Kudu live in small herds not usually larger than 12, comprised of females and their young. During the breeding season the herds are occasionally joined by the normally solitary males.

They are a savannah woodland species that do not occur in desert, forest or in open grassland areas. Kudu can also be found in broken, rocky terrain, under the cover of woodland with a nearby water supply. Despite their large size kudu are surprisingly agile and from a virtual standing start can jump great heights easy clearing game fences of 2m or more.

Distribution: Kudu are found on commercial farmland and in game parks all over central Namibia.

Diet: The kudu is predominately a browser. This species feeds on a wide variety of tree and shrub leaves, favouring fruits, pods and creepers when available.

Colouring: Tawny-brown to grey-brown coat, marked with white stripes on flanks which vary greatly in shape, size and pattern. V-shaped band on forehead and white spots on cheeks. Manes of long hair extend from the back of the head along the back to the tail, as well as on the lower neck to the belly.

Breeding: The main calving period falls after mid-summer, the time when the grass is tallest. This gives females the opportunity to drift away from the herd to give birth under cover. Gestation period is 210 days and a single calf is born.

Size: Bulls are much larger than cows and can weigh as much as 300kg with a shoulder height of 1.4m. Cows weigh 210kg with a shoulder height of 1.25m. Usually it is only the males that carry horns, but rarely the females do as well.

Impala

Introduction: The black-faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) is a sub-spieces of the common impala originally from the north west of Namibia, introduced to Etosha National Park in the 1970's. They are darker than other impala and are so called due to their characteristic black face. They tend to keep to dense riverine vegetation during the day lying in the thickets to escape the heat of the day. Modest vegetation zones are also attractive to them. They are gregarious creatures and occur in small herds of between 3 and 15, with larger herds being formed in the lambing season. Solitary males team up with harems of females with their offspring.

Distribution: They are confined to the south-western part of Etosha National Park and the Kamanjab district, marking its southern boundary. They can also be observed in the Kunene River area.

Diet: Black-faced impala are are both browsers and grazers, consuming flowers, leaves and shoots and the fruit, bark and leaves of shrubs such as the small sour plum. They often compete for food with their arch enemy - the goat.

Colouring: A dull brown with a distinct purplish-black sheen. In adults the side of the face and back of the ears are reddish-brown, as well as the dark coloured face blaze on top of their muzzles that extends from the nostrils to the top of the head.

Breeding: Black-faced impala are seasonal breeders with a short, marked lambing season from the end of December, peaking in January. A single lamb is produced at birth which accounts for their low numbers.

Size: Adults weigh around 63kg and females 50kg. They stand at a shoulder height of around 90cm.

Eland

Introduction: The name eland (Taurotragus oryx) is borrowed from the Dutch and means elk. They are the largest African antelope and both sexes have distinctive heavy, spirally twisted horns of up to 1m in length. Eland herds are normally between 6 -12 animals and they can often be found in association with zebras or giraffes, possibly in the hope of warding off lions. One of the interesting characteristics of an eland herd is that it includes a nursery for the calves. When threatened by predators the herd forms a front, with the large males taking the lead positions, whilst the calves and pregnant females are protected behind this fortress.

Hunted extensively for their hide and flesh, and at times trained to work in harness, eland populations have greatly diminished over the years. In spite of its heavy physique, eland are remarkably agile and large bulls can easily jump over regular fences.

Distribution: Eland can be found on the farmland of north central Namibia (around Outjo and Tsumeb), the Kalahari Desert and Etosha National Park (particularly around Namutoni Rest Camp).

Diet: Elands predominately browsers and prefer savannah scrub and leaves. They only eat grass in quantity in the summer, as it is not an important part of their diet. They will drink water when it is available, although they are by no means dependant on it, obtaining their moisture requirements from their food. They have been known to go up to a month without water.

Colouring: Pale fawn in colour and the horns average about 65cm long. The male has a distinctive tuft of hair on his head and stouter horns than the female.

Breeding: A single calf is born to a mother after a gestation period of approximately 9 months. Calves can run with the herd a few hours after birth.

Size: They stand nearly 2m high at the shoulder, and a fully grown male may weigh over 700 kg. Females are smaller at 1.5m and weigh up to 460kg.

Oryx

Introduction: The Oryx (Oryx gazella) found in Southern Africa is often known by its Afrikaans name - Gemsbok, of which the origins are unknown. They are found all over Namibia and can tolerate arid areas which are uninhabitable to most other antelope, hence its status as Namibia's National animal. It obtains enough drinking water from food to survive and therefore does not need to drink. Gemsbok can tolerate extreme heat and to conserve water can allow their body temperature to rise to levels that would kill most animals, by cooling the blood going to the brain. Herds number anywhere between 5 and 40 animals, but aggregations of several hundred can occur.

Female herds include non-territorial bulls who will move between the territories of dominant bulls in search for food. To avoid conflict, non-territorial bulls are submissive towards territorial bulls. Fights between males are often fatal, one or both can receive severe stab wounds. When cornered by a predator, oryx will use their horns rigorously to defend themselves and attackers display extreme caution before advancing. The behaviour of this species is geared to energy and water conservation. In the heat of the day they will rest in the shade of trees. Where shade is not available they will orientate themselves to present as little as possible of their body surface to the sun.

Distribution:. They are so common throughout Namibia that you are likely to see them next to the road throughout the entire country.

Diet: Gemsbok mostly feed on nutritious leaves, grasses and herbs. During the dry season they feed on flowers and will also browse for food.

Colouring: A large mainly grey-coloured antelope, with striking black and white markings on the face and legs, black side stripes on the flanks and a long black tail.

Breeding: Gemsbok are non-seasonal breeders. Only 1 calf is born after a gestation period of approximately 9 months, at any time of the year.

Size: Bulls measure 1.2m at the shoulders and attain a mass of 240kg. Both bulls and cows have horns, shorter and stockier on the male.

Blue wildebeest

Introduction: The blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) is also referred to as the brindled gnu, a name not used so often. Despite their appearance, they are very agile animals and if spooked will instantly run off, stopping at intervals to look back to assess the situation, before repeating these activities again. They will then remain suspicious, watching their trail for long periods of time. An inquisitive animal, they will stand looking at an intruder while snorting and blowing through their nostrils. They will also run around in circles, prance about waving their tails, and pawing at the ground.

Blue Wildebeest live all over in the open savannah of southern Africa. They are social creatures and live in groups of 20 to 40 animals, sometimes in larger herds, the members of which are usually cows and calves, led by a bull. Other groups consist only of bachelor bulls. There is considerable competition for rank among individuals who will follow a breeding herd, pressurising the bull in the hope that it will leave.

Distribution: In Namibia wildebeest are commonly found in the Etosha National Park and on several privately owned game farms.

Diet: Wildebeest are grazers and are particularly associated with savannah woodland with the availability of water. Their favoured food source must have high leaf to stem ratio and they prefer the shorter grass swards.

Colouring: A gnu has a slate grey coat, sometimes with a brown tinge, a black tail and a long narrow head carrying horns which curve down and then up. The front quarters are heavily built and there is a mane and a beard reaching down the throat. There are darker creases on the sides.

Breeding: The gestation period for a wildebeest is 250 days with 80-90% of the calves being born in a 3 week period when conditions are most favourable. At birth the calves are licked clean by their mothers, can stand within a few minutes and run with her within 5 minutes.

Size: Adult males stand about 150cm at the shoulder and weigh 250kg, the females smaller at 135cm and 180kg. Both sexes have horns.

Burchell’s  Zebra

Introduction: Burchell's zebra (Equus burchelli) is a horse-like herbivore which was named after the well-known traveller and naturalist, W.J. Burchell. They inhabit savannah, from treeless grasslands to open woodlands. Zebras stay in family groups of a stallion, or male, and several mares, but different families will come together in huge herds of hundreds of zebras. They are distinguished from Hartmann's mountain zebra by:

·         The yellowish or greyish shadow stripes between the black on the hind quarters.

·         The lack of 'gridiron' pattern on the top of the hind quarters.

·         The absence of dewlap (the loose fold of skin hanging under the throat) .

Each zebra has an individual stripe pattern and with no two being alike. Herds will mingle with wildebeests, ostriches, and antelope while they graze, and even come to depend on them as additional protection against predators! The herd runs away at the pace of the slowest animal, followed by the herd stallion right at the back. Backwards kicking zebras can kill a lion.

Distribution: Zebras are the second most common animal in the Etosha National Park of Namibia with numbers estimated to be around 20,000. These animals can also be found in on farmland and parks throughout Namibia.

Diet: Zebras are predominantly grazers - grass, leaves, bark, roots and stems, but occasionally will browse and feed on herbs.

Colouring: The characteristic pelages of the zebra make them easily identifiable. The coat is broad black stripes on an off-white body, with shadow stripes superimposed on the off-white stripes. The stripes extend down the underparts. The mane is short, erect and bristle-like.

Breeding: A single foal can be born at any time of the year after a gestation period of between 360 to 390 days. The foal weighs between 30 and 35kg at birth. For future recognition the mare positions herself between the foal and the rest of the herd as it studies her stripes for future recognition. This is done straight after birth. High mortality rates within the first year are caused by lion and spotted hyena predation, disease and accidents.

Size: These animals stand up to 136cm and weigh between 290 and 340kg.

Hartmann Zebra

Introduction: The name Hartmann's has been retained for this subspecies to distinguish it from the Cape mountain zebra. They are slightly larger than the Cape zebra. Other characteristics of the Hartmann's mountain zebra include:

·         The hooves grow extremely fast to compensate for the heavy wear endured on the rocky terrain that they live.

·         This species seeks shade and rests during the hottest parts of the day and has been demonstrated to orient its body with respect to the sun.

·         The vocalizations of the Hartmann's zebra are similar to the neigh of a horse.

·         Each zebra has an individual stripe pattern.

·         After birth, the mare positions herself between the foal and the rest of the herd while it studies her stripes for future recognition.

·         Zebras stay in family groups of a stallion, or male, and several mares, but different families will come together in huge herds of hundreds of zebras.

Distribution: The Hartmann's mountain zebra occupies the rugged, broken terrain on the plateau east of the Namib Desert.

Diet: Hartmann's mountain zebra are grazers and eat grass, leaves, bark, roots and stems. Where they are undisturbed, they may drink at any time of the day, but when they are regularly hunted, they water during the night. They will dig for water if it is not available and this movement is carried out with a scraping motion of the front hooves. This accommodates smaller mammals and birds whose survival depends on these actions.

Colouring: Hartmann's mountain zebra have broad black stripes on an off-white body. The stripes extend down the legs to narrow hooves, but do not meet on the belly. The mane is short, erect and bristle-like.

Breeding: Gestation period is around 362 days and the survival rate for foals is high, probably due to the protection offered to the young by other members of the group. Leopards, cheetah and drought, are the foals greatest enemy.

Size: An adult male stands about 150cm at the shoulder with ears 50cm long and ears 28cm long. Males weigh around 298 - 336kg and females 276kg.

Giraffe

Introduction: The giraffe is the tallest of all animals and the name is derived from the Arabic zarafah (the one who walks quickly). The giraffe gets its great height from its legs, which are around 2m long and a neck which may be even longer. Two bony 'horns' grow from the giraffe's skull. These horns, which are covered by skin and hair, resemble deer's antlers before the antlers develop branches. They are not true horns because they do not have a horny covering. Some giraffes also have one or more short hornlike bumps on the forehead. The horns of the female are smaller than those of the male.

A giraffe can close its nostrils completely to keep out sand and dust. It uses its long upper lip and its tongue, which is about 53cm long, to gather food from tree branches. Giraffes have good vision and they seldom use its voice, though it can utter a variety of soft sounds.

Despite the length of its neck, a giraffe only has 7 neck bones – the same number that human beings and most other animals have. A short mane grows along the back of the neck from the head to the shoulders. The sloping back measures about 1.5m from the base of the neck to the base of the tail. The tail is about 91cm long and ends in a tuft of long black hairs. A giraffe's hoofs are split into two parts. Each part consists of the hardened top of one toe. A giraffe's closest relative – and the only other member of the giraffe family – is the Okapi.

Giraffes walk by moving both legs on one side of the body forward almost together and then both legs on the other side. When giraffes gallop, both hind feet swing forward and land outside and in front of the front feet. Giraffes can gallop up to 56kms/hr, 3 times faster than a Windhoek taxi driver motors when he's looking for passengers. A giraffe usually sleeps standing up. When lying down, it holds its neck upright or rests it on one of its hips or on a low tree limb.

Female giraffes and their young often form small, loosely organized groups. They are joined from time to time by an adult male. Giraffes stay in the same general area for most of their lives. This area often covers an area of around 75km². A bull fights with another by butting its head against the neck or chest of its opponent. If a fight becomes serious, the powerful blows may be heard at a distance of 100m, however, the animals rarely injure each other.

·         Females do not fight.

·         Lions are the only animals that attack adult giraffes. A lion may kill a giraffe if it catches the victim lying down or if it springs onto the giraffe's back from ambush.

·         Giraffes defend themselves by kicking with their front feet. Their kicks are sometimes powerful enough to kill a lion.

·         Young giraffes may be killed by lions, leopards, cheetah, hyenas and crocodiles.

The tail hairs are used by some African tribes as bracelets and string. These bracelets can be bought by tourists, especially in places such as Post Street Mall in Windhoek. Hides are used for shields and twisted shredded tendons and ligaments to make bowstrings.

Distribution: Giraffes can only be found in Africa south of the Sahara, in small groups on grasslands, especially in Etosha National Park and many private game reserves.

Diet: Giraffe browse trees especially acacia, leaves, twigs and fruit from trees that grow in scattered groves. A giraffe, like a cow, chews a cud, which is food that has entered the stomach but is returned to the mouth for a second chewing. Giraffes can go without drinking water for many weeks, but when they do they spread its forelegs far apart, or bend them forward, so that its mouth can reach down to the water. This is when they are at their most vulnerable, especially at water holes. They can be seen to be understandably hesitant and visibly nervous when drinking. If they feel the slightest bit uncertain about the safety of the situation, then they'll forgo the opportunity altogether.

Colouring: Every giraffe has its own distinct patch-like coat pattern. These markings are of a tawny (light brownish-yellow) to chestnut-brown colour. The lines that separate the patches are a lighter tawny or white. This colour pattern helps protect giraffes by making them hard to see when they stand amongst trees. Each individual giraffe has its own distinct coat pattern, adding to the camouflage effect.

Breeding: A female giraffe carries her young inside her body for about 15 months, before giving birth. Giraffes bear 1 baby at a time, except for rare cases of twins. At birth, a calf may stand as tall as 1.8m and weigh as much as 68kg. It can stand up within an hour. The cow (female giraffe) nurses its young with milk or green plants from the age of 2 weeks and can bear her first baby when she is 5 years old. In the wild, giraffes may live as long as 28 years.

Size: Male giraffes can grow to more than 5.5m, taller than the African elephant, the 2nd tallest animal. The average size of the male is around 5.2m and most females grow to about 4.3m. Even though giraffes tower over other animals, most adult males weigh only about 1,200kg. A male African elephant may weigh more than 5 times as much.

Warthog

Introduction: The warthog is an African pig with large curved tusks from its huge flattened head, 1 set from both upper and lower jaws. It gets its name from the gristly warts that come from the sides of its face. Boars have 2 pairs, sows only 1. It is not known for certain what purpose the warts serve. One explanation is that they are used as a weapon, or, alternatively, as a defence in fending off blows from other warthogs.

Warthogs live in families of related females with their offspring and 10 individuals may form a sounder. They travel in small family groups and are a common sight in Namibia, often seen wandering along the side of the highway.

Distribution: Warthogs can be seen all over central Namibia and are often found grazing on the verges of the road. For those arriving in the country they can often be seen on the short trip from the International Airport into Windhoek. Care should be taken while driving as warthogs can do considerable damage to vehicles and passengers.

Diet: In general warthogs are mainly vegetations, living on annual and perennial short grasses, but also roots, fruit and even carrion. They are not dependent on the availability of water, but will drink it regularly if there is a supply.

Colouring: Grey and both sexes have a crest of long black, brown or yellowish bristly hair from between the ears to the base of the tail, which normally hangs down over the sides of the shoulders and body, but can be erect under stress.

Breeding: Females give birth to litters of 2 to 5, in burrows, using original aardvark excavations. They are born from around September to December - after a gestation period of just more than 5 months.

Size: The shoulder height is up to 70cm and they weigh between 60 and 100kg. Females stand 60cm and a mass of up to 60kg. Their tusks may be as much as 61cm long.

Springbok

Introduction: The springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is the most common antelope in Namibia, and you will see huge herds of them on both commercial farmland and in designated game parks. The springbok is also one of the fastest antelopes. Both male and female carry horns which rise from the head and slope slightly backwards.

 In times of mating, the male shows off his strength and to attract a mate,  jumps into the air, which lifts the flap along his back. This action causes the long white hairs under the tail to stand up in a clearly visible fan shape, which in turn emits a strong floral scent of sweat. This stiff legged bouncing motion is known as pronking, an Afrikaans name meaning to show off or to boast. It is also initiated to ward off predators.

Distribution: The range of the springbok is amazing and they can be found in the Namib Desert, living on the sparse vegetation and in the farmlands around Windhoek. In central Namibia, vast herds often congregate and they are found in Etosha National Park, where they often mingle with herds of zebra and wildebeest, a  predators delight!

Diet: Springbok browse in the dry season and graze in the wet. They will drink water when it is available, most of their moisture requirements are satisfied by their food intake. They are also known to use mineral licks.

Colouring: Cinnamon coloured upper body, white underparts and a broad dark brown stripe on either flank stretching from the front legs to the rear legs. The short white tail is brown tufted. The rump is marked by a triangular-shaped white patch, framed by a dark brown stripe with the apex on the top of the hindquarters.

Breeding: Most ewes breed every year, some even twice. Young are weaned at about 4 months and ewes become sexually mature at the age of seven months. The gestation period is 24 weeks.

Size: Rams may weigh up to 50kg and stand about 75cm at the shoulder and ewes slightly smaller and lighter at around 37kg.

Spotted Hyena

Introduction: Although hyenas have a reputation of being scavengers they are actually very efficient hunters with very powerful jaws. This is perhaps best appreciated when an individual is seen running off from a kill carrying the hind leg of a wildebeest or other heavy section of a carcass, high off the ground. Adult hyenas can run at speeds of up to 60km/hr. Female hyena are larger than males and have an erectile clitoris (which makes it virtually impossible to distinguish between the sexes). Clans of hyena are led by dominant females. The spotted hyena  (Crocuta crocuta) have particularly heavy fore quarters with relatively lighter hind quarters. This is over emphasized by tucking their tails between their legs when they are running away, giving the impression of having sloping backs.

Distinguishing between the spotted hyena from the brown hyena can be made easier by identifying the following differences:

·         The spotting on the body of the spotted hyena is usually visible, except in very old individuals.

·         It has more rounded ears as opposed to the pointed ears of the brown hyena.

·         The spotted hyena has a shorter, less shaggy coat.

Both spotted and brown hyenas garner very little notice from prey species when walking or lying down. It is only when one runs towards them, that their intended prey is alerted.

Distribution: Once widespread throughout Namibia, spotted hyenas can now mainly be found in Etosha National Park, Kaokoland, the Caprivi Strip, Kavango and Bushmanland areas. Other small populations also exist in the Namib Desert, and within the Skeleton Coast National Park.

Diet: Food is dictated largely by what is available, but adults and calves of wildebeest and zebra are the main target. They are well-known for scavenging on most meat.

Colouring: It is greyish-drab to rufous in body colour and is covered with large spots

Breeding: Between 1-4 young are born at any time during the year (with a peak in late summer) after a gestation period of ± 3 months.

Size: The spotted hyena stands around 80cm at the shoulder and females can weigh between 56 - 80 kg, on average heavier than the male, who weighs between 46 - 79 kg. Both male and female are around 1.5m long.

Caracal

Introduction: The name caracal (Felis caracal) is derived from a Turkish word 'garah-gulak' or 'black ear'. They were once tamed and trained for bird hunting in Iran and India. They were put into arenas containing a flock of pigeons, and wagers were made as to how many the cat would take down, hence the origination of the expression 'to put a cat amongst the pigeons'. Apparently it is capable of leaping into the air and knocking down 10-12 birds at one time!

Caracals are associated with open country and open savannah woodland areas and in particular scrubby, arid habitats. They are adept tree climbers, that become solitary straight after mating.

Distribution: Caracals occur widely in Namibia, except for in the Namib Desert. They are difficult to spot due to their nocturnal and highly secretive manner.

Diet: They prefer birds, rodents, and other small mammals, but will take whatever is available.

Colouring: This small cat has dense short reddish-brown fur. The under parts of chin and body are white, and a narrow black line runs from the corner of the eye to the nose. Its ears are long, narrow and tipped with long black tufts of black hair.

Breeding: The young may be born at various times of the year. A gestation period of 69-78 days is reported, and three young per litter are the norm (up to five kittens are possible). Litters may be born and hidden in abandoned burrows, ant-bear holes, rock crevices or hollow trees.

Size: Caracals are more robustly built than their close relatives, servals. Adult males weigh up to 17kg with the female caracal weighing around 12kg. They stand at a shoulder height of 45cm.

Duiker

Introduction: The common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) gets its name from the way they make off and zig-zag when they are disturbed, in a series of plunging jumps as they dive for cover. (Afrikaans duik = dive). They can be easily confused with the steenbok, although the duiker is nocturnal. Duikers are extremely territorial and a male will stalk and charge an intruding male. This can ensue in a furious battle with serious stab wounds being inflicted on either animal. They are most active at dusk and dawn and also into the night. Leopard is the main predator.

Distribution: Duiker can be found all over Namibia, particularly in the Caprivi Region. They are known to penetrate the coastal Namib Desert along dry watercourses.

Diet: The common duiker browses on a variety of shrubs and herbs, mainly the leaves, flowers, and dig for roots and tubers and nibble at the bark of trees. They sometimes eat mopane caterpillars and may even feed on carrion, but rarely eat grass.

Colouring: The duiker is a greyish-yellow colour with a black line. Their ears are long and narrow and males have closely set horns with ridges. The tail is dark on top and white underneath.

Breeding: After a gestation period of three months, the duiker female gives birth to a single lamb, once a year. After the lamb is born, the mother leaves it under heavy cover and returns two to three times a day to suckle. Full grown at 7 months,  females first mate as early as 8-9 months, and give birth at one year.

Size: A small antelope, the common duiker can reach a shoulder height of up to 50cm and can weigh between 15 to 18kg. Females stand slightly taller and are heavier. It is only the males that carry the short straight horns.

Steenbok

Introduction: The steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) is one of the most common species of antelope Namibia, partly due to the fact that during the dryer winter months it forages and rakes the ground, sometimes digging 'shoulder-deep' to excavate nutritious tubers, bulbs and roots that have a relatively high moisture content. Steenbok seek cover under taller trees and clusters of bushes and is often observed feeding in overgrazed fields and roadside verges.

A characteristic of the steenbok is its pointed face, allowing access to a variety of thorny plants, without fear of laceration. Steenbok are often seen alone, in pairs or in small groups due to their highly organized territorial systems.

Distribution: Throughout Namibia.

Diet: Steenbok are able to survive independently of free water and is a highly selective browser of young leaves, flowers, fruits and shoot tips.

Colouring: White underparts and buttocks blending into a reddish-brown coat.

Breeding: Births occur all year round. The mother conceals her baby for the first 3-4 months for feeding purposes and eats the baby's faeces and drinks the urine to reduce odour levels enabling its presence from predators to be concealed.

Size: Average height at the shoulder is 52cm. Weight 11kg.

Hartebeest

Introduction: Red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) have an excellent sense of smell and hearing, but their sense of sight is poor. When alarmed, they tend to mill about in seeming confusion, snorting nervously before running off. Once in its stride, a hartebeest can achieve a speed of 65km/hr, zigzagging left and right in its characteristic bouncing flight, which make it more difficult for predators to catch them. Like the blue wildebeest, it has an uncanny sense of direction and will find water and fresh grazing after rain has fallen a considerable distance away.

They are normally associated with open country, occurring on various types of grassland, in semi-desert bush savannah and in some cases open woodland.

Distribution: Red hartebeest are fairly common throughout central Namibia and the Kalahari Desert and small herds can sometimes be observed while landing at Windhoek International Airport.

Diet: Red hartebeest are predominantly grazers and are water independent, but will drink it if available.

Colouring: Most individuals are a reddish-brown colour, although this does vary to yellow-brown or tawny. Not always obvious is a darker saddle which extends on the mid-back from the shoulders to the base of the tail, not so dark on females. They have a black forehead, with a patch of reddish-brown across the face between and in front of the eyes, and a black band on top of the muzzle.

Breeding: Expectant females leave the herd in early summer and give birth to a single calf, usually between September and December, after an 8 month gestation period. The female visits the calf to suckle and clean it. Once it is strong enough, it joins the herd with its mother, who can recognize their young from a distance of 300m.

Size: The average shoulder height for a male is 1.25m and 1.1m for a female. They weigh around 150kg for the male and 120kg for the female.

Damara Dik-Dik

Introduction: The Damara dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is one of Africa's smallest antelopes and a protected species in Namibia. Although they are regularly seen alone, they mate for long periods, probably for life. They are very territorial and should competition be too stiff, will move on to a new territory. Among the characteristics of the Damara dik-dik, is their proboscis nose, that can be moved in any direction to scent for specific food sources. Their hooves have well-developed black rubbery pads that act as a shock absorbers when their feet strike the hard ground, a feature of the terrain they habit, mainly dense woodland and thick scrub.

Distribution: Despite there name they are not found in the Damaraland region of Namibia, but are found at Waterberg, Okonjima, Etosha National Park, Caprivi Strip and as far south as Brukkaros Mountain.

Diet: The Damara dik-dik are predominately browsers and because they are so small, it needs to eat the most nutritious part of a plant. They graze on leaves, pods, flowers and occasionally sprouting grass. Although they are independent of drinking water, they will drink from puddles when it is available.

Colouring: The upper parts of the body are yellowish-grey in colour while neck, shoulders and sides are browner. The chest and underparts are light compared to the rest of the body.

Breeding: The mother gives birth to one young a year after a gestation period of 6 months. This coincides with the rainy season between December to April, which gives nursing mothers the advantage of plentiful food.

Size: The shoulder height is an average of 40cm, with a weight of 5kg. Only the males carry the spike-like horns.

Jackal

Introduction: The black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) gets its name from the broad, dark saddle which exists on the upper parts of the body. Although the black-backed jackal is an efficient hunter, it relies heavily on scavenging for its food supply. Jackals will often be found around campsites searching for scraps and unattended food. It is common for shoes left outside of tents and bungalows in Etosha National Park to go missing during the night, and jackals are generally the culprits.

Distribution: Jackals are common throughout Namibia, including the Namib Desert. They are not so common in the extreme north-east of the country.

Diet: - Carrion is high on the menu for this master scavenger, but they also survive on insects, birds, rodents and occasionally small antelope. They are also known to kill the young of sheep and goats.

Colouring: Other than the broad, dark saddle on its back, it has other distinguishing features that set it aside form its close relative, the side-striped jackal. They are its black, bushy tail and reddish flanks and limbs.

Breeding: Black-backed jackals are one of the few mammalian species that have long-term bonds. Females litter down in holes, often with 2 entrances for escape purposes. Litters of 1 to 6 (rarely 9) young are born from July - October, after a gestation period of about 2 months. Both male and female jackals take part in the rearing and feeding of their young.

Size: The black-backed jackal stand at around a shoulder height of 38cm and around 1m long (including the tail). Males typically weigh around 8kg, females 7kg.

Chacma Baboon

Introduction: The Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus) is a large monkey with a dog-like face and large, prominent canines. These features give it a more aggressive appearance than other primates. The chacma baboon lives in family groups of up to 150 individual and these troops have no single dominant male. Baboons are notorious for becoming a pest around humans where they often disturb rubbish bins. They will tear open tents in their search for free food with consummate ease.

Distribution: They are extremely common in central Namibia. They will often be seen on the side of the road.

Diet: It is probably easier to list the food baboons don't eat as opposed to catalogue what is does. They forage for grass, seeds, roots, bulbs, flowers, bark, mushrooms, fruit, insects, small vertebrates and eggs. Grass is their most important item, which might go some way to explain why they forage around human areas, especially towards the end of the dry season. Regular access to drinking water is essential to their survival.

Colouring: There is a wide range of variation and colour of individuals, which depends on sex, age and location. In Namibia they are a 'grizzled' yellowish brown with a blackish band along the back, on the crown of the head and back. The male has a distinctive bright blue scrotum.

Breeding: Baboons do not have a definite breeding season and are sexually active throughout the year. Gestation period is 6 months, after which a single young is born.

Size: A mature male measures 1.6m from head to tail and weighs up to 45 kg. Females measure 1.1m and with a mass of about 20 kg

Waterbuck

Introduction: The waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) is a large antelope and as the name suggests, they are associated with water. They will even take up residence in areas where only artificial water supplies such as boreholes and pumps have been installed and will only leave if the water is shut off. Although the attraction of waterbuck to water is evident, they are also lured by the good quality grasses, including buffalo grass. Waterbuck are gregarious and usually occur in small herds of about 6 to 12, but occasionally in larger herds. Territorial bulls rule over groups of females.

Distribution: Waterbuck occur in the eastern Caprivi Strip and on farmland in north-central Namibia.

Diet: Waterbuck are predominantly grazers but their diet includes a proportion of browse plants. Grasses feature prominently all year round and they have unusually high water requirements.

Colouring: The coat of long hair is grey-brown, grizzled with white and grey hairs. The rump is distinctly marked with a broad white ring.

Breeding: The gestation period is 280 days and they breed throughout the year. Females leave the herd and retire to cover to give birth, eating the afterbirth.

Size: Males stand about 1.7m at the shoulder and have a mass of between 250 and 270kg. The females are shorter and lighter.

Cheetah

Introduction: The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is the fastest land mammal and can reach speeds of up to 105 km/h. As it can only keep this pace up for 300 - 400 metres, stalking their prey to a distance of around 50m is preferred before setting off on the chase. Males form coalitions whilst females remain solitary.

Cheetah are at home in either open grasslands or savannah woodland and often utilize the fringes of desert. Their occurrence is usually governed by availability of specific prey species. They are not found in forest or woodland with thick underbush or tall grass cover, although they will use these habitats for shelter. Water is not essential to their survival as they can survive on the moisture from their prey.

Distribution: Namibia is home to a large portion of the world's remaining cheetah population.

Diet: The cheetah's main prey is medium to small antelope such as steenbok, duiker and springbok. Accounts of males grouping together to hunt larger prey such as wildebeest have been observed and they also chase baboons, ground-living birds, bustards, hares and porcupines.

Colouring: This cat is characterized by a beautiful strongly spotted coat and by a long tail which is half as long as the length of its head and body. The tail has a unique pattern of striped markings

Breeding: Cheetahs do not have a fixed seasonal breeding cycle and in this respect, they are similar to leopards. Cubs are born after a gestation period of about 90 -95 days. Litters average 3 cubs, but occasionally there are up to 6, born in the shelter of tall grass or cunningly hid in underbush. Cubs stay with their mother for about 2 years, but sadly, most of them never live to adulthood because they are preyed upon by lion, leopard, hyena, fox and eagles.

Being a comparatively frail cat, the mother often has to give up her young or risk being killed herself. However in areas where there is good cover or few predators, the possibility of a cheetah's survival are good.

Size: Cheetah's are around 2m from snout to the tip of the tail, with a body mass of between 40 – 60kg. They stand about 80cm at the shoulders, which is accentuated by an erect crest of hair.

Leopard

Introduction: Leopards (Panthera pardus) are solitary animals, except during the mating season or when females are accompanied by juveniles. They are primarily nocturnal creatures but have been seen in the daytime, particularly in national parks and in remote area. As they are very secretive animals making contact is difficult.

In the early morning they have the habit of lying out in the sun on vantage points such as rocks and rocky ridges, giving them wide view of the surrounding terrain. They are also accomplished tree climbers; a sign often associated with leopard is to secure their kill high from other predators. They hide during the rest of the day and hunt at night.

Their hunting technique entails stalking and pouncing, killing larger prey with a holding bite to the throat which suffocates larger prey. Smaller prey are killed by a bite to the back of the neck which usually severs the spinal cord. Plucking fur off the carcass follows, before feeding on the softer parts of the body. The remains of the catch and stomach contents will be covered with grass and sand.

Although no other wild cat is spread over such a wide range or with the diverse prey base as the leopard, it is still under threat in many regions.

Distribution: There are numerous places where one can view leopard in their natural environment while travelling in Namibia.

Diet: A varied diet from mice to mammals twice their size emphasizes the adaptability of the leopard, although they generally feed on medium and small antelopes, or the young of the large. The range of species eaten, depends on availability in the area which they live. They have also have been known to feed on hyrax, baboon, fox, fish, reptiles and domestic dogs. The leopard is also well-known for predations of sheep, goats and poultry.

Colouring: Leopards have black spots arranged in rosettes, contrasted on a yellow-golden background. They have single black spots on their limbs and head. Their tails are white-tipped on the underside.

Breeding: Young are born any time of the year as they are non-seasonal breeders. Leopard cubs are born after a gestation period of 3 ½ months and females usually give birth to 2 or 3cubs in hidden lairs of natural holes, thick bush caves and hollow trees.

Size: Their head and body length is 2.1m including the tail, and they weigh in around 60kg. Females are around 1.8m in total length, but with a much smaller mass of some 32kg.