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| LION: In the Kruger Park you are likely to see some of the approximately 1,500 lions who have staked out their territories there. They are mostly found in the central areas of the Park and around Crocodile Bridge and Lower Sabie, where there are many zebra and wildebeest...their favorite prey. Though they can also pull down a buffalo or a giraffe, but in such cases, there are usually more than one lion participating in the hunt. Each pride of lions has its own defined territory which it jealously protects. They prefer to spend the hot part of the day in the shade, so they are easier to see in the early morning or late afternoon. |
| LEOPARD: Like the lion, the elusive leopard is a nocturnal animal who hunts at night. It hides its prey in trees from other predators. It prefers riverine areas and craggy hills, and is therefore not too easy to spot. Leopards are sometimes confused with cheetahs. Their bodies are, however, more compact than those of cheetahs, their heads are quite large and they have circularly arranged "rosettes" along their sides and back. |
| ELEPHANT: There are between 7,500 and 8,200 African elephants in Kruger National Park. They weigh about 6000-7000 kgs and are the largest terrestrial animals in the world. They consume vast quantities of grasses, roots bark and leaves, and can be quite devastating to an environment, pushing over trees to get to the more succulent leaves or roots. Their social life is matriarchal, herding together in groups with a dominant female. Though flapping of the ears is usually done to regulate body temperatures, it can also be a sign of annoyance. They are unpredictable and it is always advisable to keep a fair distance between your vehicle and an elephant. |
| RHINO: Rhino have been among the most endangered species on account of notions that their horns can serve as aphrodisiacs. Unfortunately this has created a market for poaching, but intense conservation efforts have led to their conservation status improving. The terms "white" and "black" rhino are misleading since they cannot really be distinguished by color. The white rhino has a wide, flattened or square lip by means of which it grazes off the short grass. While the black rhino is a browser whose pointed, elongated mouth enables it to feed on leafy branches. The black rhino is a bit smaller, more temperamental and easily provoked. |
| BUFFALO: The African buffalo looks like some kind of cattle with its wide and heavy horns. Herds can comprise more than 100 head, and some very large herds of over 500 have been seen...but are rare. They graze among courser grasses. Lone males wander about on their own and can be quite aggressive. |
| OTHER
BIGGIES: Hippopotami are the largest of
the fresh water mammals and can weigh between 2000 and 3000 kgs. They
have a very thick hide and with their bulky, thickset bodies appear very
ungainly on land...but in water they can move quite
gracefully. During the day they are mostly submerged in hippo pools,
where they gather in groups, surfacing with a spray of water from their
nostrils. They come out to feed at night on grass or small shrubs.
Giraffe are among the most popular characters. They are the tallest animals in the world which enables them to feed off the youngest leaves at the tops of the trees. |
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