| Actual Image
Mock fight for Annick (130)
Miss_Piggy
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1326 W: 4 N: 2162]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (6984) | Impala / Aepyceros melampus
Today's posting I would like to dedicate to Annick Vanderschelden (Vanderschelden). His continued postings of the photographs taken in the Kruger National Park is just proof that he really enjoyed his time being in our country, and he really spoiled us with photographs taken in the time he toured the Kruger. If you the reader ever have the opportunity to visit, jump at it. It is really great, and once in the park, you do not want to return to the "real life" out there.
Numerous Impala images in all interesting poses and viewpoints lately popped up in Annick's portfolio. I was waiting to see if he was going to post a pair of Impala males in a mock fight. Now I'll jump the gun and post a photograph of this action.
Do yourself a favour and drop by Annick's gallery for a treat of some special shots, including the Big 5 taken during his stay in the park. In his own words "I pushed the button between 15000-20000 times and drove 3200km".
I personally think this is a beautiful antelope, but many times people tend to pass it by when in the park because of their large quantities. When we visit the Kruger it has become a habit to calmly say "rooi" (red) right, "blou" (blue) left or vice versa, meaning on the right hand side there are some Impalas called "rooibok" in Afrikaans and some Blue Wildebeest on the left hand side. It is a thrilling experience when you encounter some scarcer wildlife but to shout out and almost break your neck or nearly get a heart attack each time you see some Impala's or Wildebeest is actually torture to one's own mental system.
They are known as the "McDonalds" of the bush, because they are "fast food" and is a very popular dinner choice for predators such as lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. Interestingly, they also carry the McDonalds "M" sign on their rear ends, as can be seen on the animal in the back. (Thanks to Jaycee and Funky Munky who pointed me to this.)
Life on the Fringe:
With its sleek reddish coat, long legs and lyre-shaped horns, the impala is perhaps the most elegant of all African antelope. Sadly, no doubt due to its abundance in most Southern African wildlife reserves, it is practically ignored by safari-goers after the first sighting. A closer examination of their lifestyle and ecology does, however, reveal a truly fascinating animal. Its abundance in many regions is largely due to its adaptable diet, for it is both a grazer and a browser.
No Close Relatives:
The majority of African antelope belong to tribes or groups of related species but the impala is one of a kind (although claims have been made for affinities with hartebeest). Among a variety of anatomical and behavioural specialities, the distinctive "fetlock glands" are perhaps the most conspicuous. These tufts of black hair on the hind legs cover scent glands which release a pheromone (chemical) under certain circumstances (as when being pursued by a predator). Such signals allow members of a group to stick together while escaping through dense cover.
Residential Clans:
They favour specific areas with plenty of greenery, well-drained soil, fairly flat terrain and reasonable proximity to drinking water being among their needs. Individuals and groups are faithful to the same small area, year after year. Females form "clans" between 30-120 individuals that occupy areas of suitable habitat. Lambs are born in a synchronous fashion, as all females in an area dropping within 2 or 3 weeks, (November in SA) when food and cover is most plentiful. Mothers keep their lambs hidden for the first couple of days after birth, but the youngsters then join others of a similar age in "crèches" within the herd. Males over 1 year live in "bachelor herds", often in separate areas from the female herds, with the dominant individuals breaking away to set up territories in proximity to female herds.
Passion Under the Moon:
At the end of the wet season (May in SA), males enter a period of "rut". Individuals of 4 years or more challenge each other in noisy, boisterous challenges in a struggle to gain and hold a territory. The explosive barking call of the rutting males has frightened the wits out of more than a few trailists and campers, for it is often mistaken for the roar of a lion! The competing males put all their energy into the rut, often loosing condition (less time is spent eating) and many preoccupied individuals are taken opportunistically by predators. The males that succeed in holding a territory will not have it for long as the job of rounding up, mating and chasing opponents is tiring! They must "make hay while the moon shines". Research has shown that they are influenced by the lunar cycle, with almost all-mating taking place in the period between full moons!
Camels of the Bushveld:
Although they are rarely found far from water, they are actually able to survive without a drink for months on end in summer and for up to a week in the dry winter months. During the rainy season they feed primarily on green grass (70% moisture content), and in winter they mostly nibble green foliage of trees along watercourses and drainage lines; there is enough moisture in these food sources to meet their requirements. When water is available, they will drink daily, but they could survive without it. Even when they actually do drink, they require just 1½ litre per day.
Agile and Athletic:
They are extremely agile and are capable of spectacular leaps and raised kickbacks. The detection of a predator (or a false alarm!) can send a herd into a mad scatter, with individuals leaping above and across one another, nimbly avoiding thorny branches and rutted ground. Long jumps of up to 11m have been recorded and individuals have been seen to clear 3m high obstacles! Despite their great leaping abilities, they form the bulk of the diet of all large carnivores excepting lion, which generally prefer larger prey. Source
I hope you enjoy looking at this photo as much as I took pleasure in taking it. |
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