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Some of the animals we photographed in East Africa
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Gerenuk
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Quickfacts
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— gerenuk means "giraffe-necked" in the Somali language
— have scent glands by eyes, knees (covered by tufts) and between their split hooves
— standing on hind legs reach higher than those of other gazelles - so not competing
— don’t eat grass nor need water - enough moisture from plants
— vocalizations include: buzzing sound - alarmed, a whistle -annoyed & a loud bleat - extreme danger
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Hartebeest
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Quickfacts
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— "hartebeest," means "tough ox."
— the most sedentary antelope (makes it easy to hunt)
— goes to water regularly & when male returns may find another in its place
— home ranges densely populated
— Hunter's, Jackson's, Lichtenstein's and Coke's hartebeest found in East Africa.
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Hippopotamus
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Quickfacts
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— lifespan: 50 years - predators: humans, lions, crocodiles
— considered a female deity of pregnancy in ancient Egypt - now gone
— no sweat glands - relies on water to keep cool
— red fluid produced in copious amounts when animal is excited
— well-adapted to water - small ears, eyes and nostrils set at the top of the head
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Impala
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Quickfacts
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— new mother seeks seclusion - young then join nursery group for protection
— young are killed by jackals and the smaller cats, baboons, eagles and pythons
— in danger, impalas will "explode" in a magnificent spectacle of leaping
— when food is plentiful, the males become territorial
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Leopard
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Quickfacts
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— primarily nocturnal, usually resting during the daytime in trees or thick bush.
— when not hunting, flips tail over its back to reveal the white underside
— solitary - unexpected encounters between leopards can lead to fights
— Its tawny coat is covered with dark, irregular circles called "rosettes."
— both lions and hyenas will take away a leopard's kill if they can, so hide kill in trees
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