| Animal |
Ecology |
Activity |
Spoor |

Lion
Panthera Leo |
Savannah and plains with variety of
hoofed animals. |
Spend 20 hours a day resting, hunting
early morning and at night. |
|
"King of African carnivores"
Average weight:
Male: 189kg
Female: 126kg |
Typical pride numbers about
14 with 1-4 males, the rest of the adults being female.
Typically three cubs per litter after 14-15 week gestation |
| Animal |
Ecology |
Activity |
Spoor |

Elephant
Loxodonta africana |
Most versatile herbivore.
Eat about 150kg per day |
Feeds for about 16 hours
per day, and sleeps for the rest. |
|
Largest animal.
Average weight:
Male: 5000kg
Female: 3000kg |
Matriarchal clan society
consisting of mother with her offspring and daughters offspring.
Males live separately, alone or in bachelor herds, herd is typically
9-11 elephants. Gestation period is 22 months. |
| Animal |
Ecology |
Activity |
Spoor |

White Rhino
Ceratotherium simun |
Most abundant in well watered
savannahs, swamps, floodplains |
Spend about 12 hours feeding,
the rest walking and resting. |
 |
| Largest land mammal after
elephants |
Females and young associate
in groups, males are territorial and essentially solitary. Gestation
period is 15-16 months, only one calf born at a time. |
| Animal |
Ecology |
Activity |
Spoor |

Cape Buffalo
Syncerus caffer |
Most abundant in well watered
savannahs, swamps, floodplains |
Spend about 12 hours feeding,
the rest walking and resting. |
 |
Massive build
with short powerful limbs.
Average weight:
Male: 425-870kg
Female: about 576kg |
Extremely sociable,
living in large mixed herds. Herds can average up to 450 on large
plains. Gestation period 11.5 months. |
| Animal |
Ecology |
Activity |
Spoor |

Leopard
Panthera pardus |
Broadest habitat tolerance
of any African carnivore. Least specialised and most adaptable of
the large cats |
Lies up during day and
part of the night in trees or dense undergrowth, becoming active
at dusk. Ranges about 25km's per night when necessary |
 |
| The embodiment
of feline beauty, power and stealth. Wide head with short powerful
jaws. Prey includes all forms of animal protein from beetles to
antelope three times its own weight.
Male: 35-65 kg
Female: 28-58kg |
The leopard
hunts and lives alone, associating with another adult only long
enough to mate. Each defends a core territory, ranging from 9-63km's.
Gestation period is 90-100 days, typically 1-3 in litter every two
years. Ranks just above cheetah in predator pecking order. |
| Animal |
Ecology |
Activity |
Spoor |

Spotted Hyaena
Crocuta crocuta |
Most abundant large carnivore
in areas where antelope and zebra abound. Found almost everywhere
south of the Sahara |
Spends large part of day
lying down, the rest hunt and foraging. Can travel up to 40km per
day. |
 |
Large dog-like
carnivore with sturdy build, high shoulders, and long muscular limbs.
More carnivorous than other hyenas. Eats everything but rumen contents
and horn bosses of biggest antelope. Bones, horns, hooves, and even
teeth are digested within 24 hours.
Male: 56-63kg
Females: 67-75kg |
Lives in large
clans, defending territory from other carnivores. Clan members compete
more than most social carnivores. Females are larger than males
and dominate them. Gestation period 4 months, litter of 1-4 young.
Mature at three years. |
| Animal |
Ecology |
Activity |
Spoor |

Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus |
Range includes sparsely
vegetated subdesert. Specialised as predator on gazelle and springbuck
on plains, and impala, lechwe and reedbuck in wetter savannah |
Seldom active at night,
and rests during heat of day. Travels 4-7 km's per day |
 |
A cat with a greyhound
chassis. Built for speed it is light boned with long thin legs,
and short neck.
Male: 35-65kg
Female: about 10kg's less than male. |
Ranges may be up to 800
square km's. Adult males may associate in coalitions, while females
rear their young to the age of 1.5 years before separation. Females
usually settle within their mother's home range. |
|