Cheetah: Wildlife Southern Africa
Cheetahs are the fastest of all the land animals. They have been clocked at sprinting speeds of 114km/h. Cheetahs can bring down their prey after a short-coursing hunt, but would not be able to chase another animal to death over longer distances.
Cheetahs are known to be sight-hunters and can be watched hunting in the mornings or late afternoons. When they eventually kill their prey, they are often totally out of breath for awhile, and since they are the weakest of all the animals of prey, a bigger predator can easily snatch their prey away from them.
Cheetahs are often confused with leopards, but there are some clear distinctive markings, such as the typical tear stripes in the cheetah’s face, the longer legs and the darker spots in its fur. In contrast to leopards, cheetahs are quite social beings who usually live as couples or in small groups. They are not very aggressive and it is relatively easy to tame them.
Game Parks: Kalahari Park (South Africa), Kruger Park (South Africa) and Etosha Park (Namibia).
Related Travel Information
Hippo : Wildlife Southern Africa
Hippos are the most feared animals in southern Africa. Each year more people are killed by them than by all the other animals together.
Hippos weigh up to two tons and can be four metres long. Hippos are vegetarians and feed exclusively on grass.
Hippos watch strictly over their territories and threaten anybody invading it by what looks like yawning. If the invader does not withdraw, they usually attack without any further hesitation. Smaller boats are particularly at risk, because a rhino can easily topple it over, and as their front teeth are as sharp as razorblades,
Wildlife in Southern Africa
South Africa is quite justly proud of its rich natural heritage, which is being diligently protected in the many nature reserves and national parks. The country is home to more than 300 mammal species, over 500 bird species, over 100 kinds of reptiles and countless insects.
Not all the animals are easy to watch. Besides the fact that many species are night-active, season, place, wheather and, of course, luck play a part as well. To observe and photograph animals, always requires a lot of patience and also good lenses with a long focal distance.
Explore the animal
Moremi Wildlife Reserve
Moremi is the most diversified of all the Botswana parks in terms of wildlife and scenery and many people that is the most beautiful. Located on the northeastern part of the Okavango Delta, Moremi contains over 1160 miles (3000 sq Kms) of permanent swamps, islands, floodplains, forests and dry land. The park’s boundaries have been recently extended to the west and the northwest, significantly enlarging its size.
In the riparian forest you may spot elephants, greater kudu, Southern giraffes, impala, buffalo along with such predators like lions, leopard, wild dog, ratel (honey badger), spotted hyena and cheetah. Elephant
Snakes : Wildlife Southern Africa
In all areas of South Africa, there are different species of snakes, most of them harmless, but some extremely venomous.
The Cape Cobra on the right is one of the more dangerous kinds. Its bite paralyses the muscles, respiration and eventually heart failure. One can recognize the snake by its flat throat. If disturbed, it raises its upper body and takes on a threatening posture. The probability of encountering such a poisonous snake is very small, since they all, except the puffadder, quickly disappear as soon as they sense the slightest movement.
Nevertheless, one should never go for
Crocodiles : Wildlife Southern Africa
Survivors of the dinosaur age, crocodiles are found in the warmer waters of Africa, Asia, Australia, and America. Crocodiles are often confused with alligators, but you can tell them apart by the shape of their tapered snout, and by the way crocodiles' lower teeth stick out when their jaws are closed.
Crocodiles vary in size. The saltwater crocodile measures up to 10 m in length, while others are no more than 1 m long. Hunted extensively for their skins, large crocodiles are becoming increasingly rare.
