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Nature Explored

Photography and Information
by Chris Dunford

 

 

 

 

 

 






Dronfield Mammals (September)

Greater kudu cows usually form small herds with their young4449 Greater kudu cows usually form small herds with their young

A blue wildebeeste. Both sexes have horns4450 A blue wildebeeste. Both sexes have horns

The blue wildebeeste is also known as the brindled gnu4451 The blue wildebeeste is also known as the brindled gnu

Impalas are pretty ubiquitous throughout southern and easten Africa4452 Impalas are pretty ubiquitous throughout southern and easten Africa

Sable antelope bulls turn from reddish-brown to black from age three onwards4453 Sable antelope bulls turn from reddish-brown to black from age three onwards

Red hartebeeste can be distinguished from tsessebe by their very upright lyre shaped horns, and reddish coat4454 Red hartebeeste can be distinguished from tsessebe by their very upright lyre shaped horns, and reddish coat

Sable horns can reach up to five feet (1.6m) and the antelope will use them to fight agressively, even killing lions at times4455 Sable horns can reach up to five feet (1.6m) and the antelope will use them to fight agressively, even killing lions at times

Springbok are very fast runners with a top speed of around 55 mph (88 km/h4456 Springbok are very fast runners with a top speed of around 55 mph (88 km/h

Plains zebra foal4457 Plains zebra foal

Zebra classification is a minefield. These could be Burchell's or Antiquorum4458 Zebra classification is a minefield. These could be Burchell's or Antiquorum

Zebras form family groups headed by a stallion4459 Zebras form family groups headed by a stallion

The diurnal Cape ground squirrels prefer drier regions like the Kalahari and the Karooe4460 The diurnal Cape ground squirrels prefer drier regions like the Kalahari and the Karoo

Gemsbok are well adapted to deserts and can go weeks without drinking water, by obtaining liquid from the food they eat4461 Gemsbok are well adapted to deserts and can go weeks without drinking water, by obtaining liquid from the food they eat

Both sexes of roan antelope have horns up to a metre long. They sometimes fight on their knees using them to stab4462 Both sexes of roan antelope have horns up to a metre long. They sometimes fight on their knees using them to stab

Sable herds consist of fifteen to twenty individuals with a matriarchal social structure and only one adult bull4463 Sable herds consist of fifteen to twenty individuals with a matriarchal social structure and only one adult bull

The tsessebe is the fastest antelope in africa with speeds up to 56mph (90 k/ph)4464 The tsessebe is the fastest antelope in africa with speeds up to 56mph (90 k/ph)

4465 Can't go many places and not see a warthog4465 Can't go many places and not see a warthog

The tsessebe has wider spaced and more backward facing horns than the red hartebeeste4466The tsessebe has wider spaced and more backward facing horns than the red hartebeeste

Gemsbok use thermoregulation to stop water loss through sweating and can let their temperature rise to 45 C4467 Gemsbok use thermoregulation to stop water loss through sweating and can let their temperature rise to 45 C

When gemsbok get hot a special network of blood vessels in the nose cools the blood going to the brain4468 When gemsbok get hot a special network of blood vessels in the nose cools the blood going to the brain

Gemsbok live in mixed sex herds led by a dominant male and a high ranking female4469 Gemsbok live in mixed sex herds led by a dominant male and a high ranking female

Springbok are noted for pronking - stiff legged leaps up to 6ft (2m) in the air4470 Springbok are noted for pronking - stiff legged leaps up to 6ft (2m) in the air

The Southern giraffe is also known as the two horned giraffe.4471 The Southern giraffe is also known as the two horned giraffe.

Roan primarily eat grass but will eat other leaves and succulents when it is scarce4472 Roan primarily eat grass but will eat other leaves and succulents when it is scarce