east african mammals Archives - Silvica: Blog for Sustainable Development https://silvica.site/tag/east-african-mammals/ Greening our world through content Fri, 31 Jul 2020 19:14:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7 https://i0.wp.com/silvica.site/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-silvica_image.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 east african mammals Archives - Silvica: Blog for Sustainable Development https://silvica.site/tag/east-african-mammals/ 32 32 162136420 A Look Into The Different Types of Reptiles In East Africa https://silvica.site/reptiles-of-east-africa/ Fri, 31 Jul 2020 19:04:11 +0000 http://silvica.site/?p=1139 The black rhino population in Africa is increasing. Understanding the threats, breeding and feeding habits of the rhino could further assist in conservation.

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By Benjamin Muraguri

East Africa’s tropical climate makes the region a worldly renowned haven for some of the greatest and most fascinating reptiles in the world. From turtles, snakes, chameleons to lizards, there so many reptile species in East Africa. This outline breaks some of East Africa’s most common reptile species.

Snakes are among the most common reptiles is East Africa

Snakes are East Africa’s most common and elusive reptile species. There are an estimated 130 snake species in East Africa alone. Below are East Africa’s most popular snake species.

  • Black Mamba –Black Mamba isn’t just the most dangerous snake in East Africa, but the snake is also the most elusive snake species in the entire African continent. It is also among the most dreaded and aggressive snake species in the world. Contrary to its name, this snake isn’t entirely black. Instead, Black Mamba is brown/olive-skinned. Its mouth is black, and it opens it up once threatened. It can be easily found in East Africa’s scrub tree hollows, savannahs, and tree hollows. It kills its prey using its potent cardiotoxic venom.
  • Puff Adder –The Puffer Adder is infamous for causing the most fatalities in East Africa, automatically making it the region’s most deadly snake. The snake has a maximum length of about a meter. It has beautiful color patterns, although patterns can vary based on its habitat. It is common throughout East Africa, apart from deserts and dense rain forests. Its potent venom coupled with large fangs makes it capable of killing almost any creature that crosses its path. This snake uses camouflage to protect itself from potential threats.
  • Boomslang –This extraordinary snake inhabits trees across East Africa, earning it the name tree snake. The male is light green while the female is brown, although males have black highlights. The snake can grow to a maximum height of 1.5 meters. Nevertheless, the snake is attributed to a few human fatalities since it is extremely timid. The snake inhabits the region’s scrubs, lowlands, and arid savannas in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.
  • Cobra –East Africa boosts 4 cobra species, namely the red spitting cobra, black-necked cobra, forest cobra, and the Egyptian cobra. These species feed on rodents and other snake species. The cobra is known for spitting venom to its prey or towards any perceived threat. The cobra possesses powerful venom purposely to kill its prey and scare away threats. Cobras are common in Kenya and Tanzania’s rocky hills and savannahs.
black mamba has toxic venom
The black mamba is not actually black. However, the inside of its mouth is black (Image by Michael Kleinsasser from Pixabay)

The camouflaging chameleons

Chameleons are also popular reptiles throughout East Africa. Below are East Africa’s most common chameleon species.

  • Dwarf chameleon –The newly discovered chameleon species inhabits Kenya’s Aberdare Ranges. Measuring 15 cm in length, this chameleon is smaller in size compared to other chameleon species in East Africa. The chameleon is restricted to areas where rainfall is plenty throughout the year. It is distinct from other chameleons courtesy of its viviparous nature-meaning this chameleon gives birth instead of laying eggs. When provoked, this chameleon inflates itself, changes color dramatically, and produces a hissing sound.
  • Jackson’s chameleon –Also known as the three-horned chameleon, this chameleon is strictly native to East Africa. The chameleon is native to the region’s forests and woodlands. It is prevalent in northern Tanzania and south-central Kenya. Depending on the prevailing habitat, this chameleon can possess at least three brown horns. Nonetheless, the females don’t have horns but rather rostral horns. The medium-sized chameleon can grow to a length of 38 cm, while females can grow to an approximate length of 25 cm. This chameleon’s primary diet consists of small insects. It can also prey on isopods, centipedes, millipedes, lizards, and spiders.
  • Side –striped chameleon –This chameleon is native to Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Southern Sudan, and Ethiopia. In Kenya, this chameleon lives in the mountainous areas of Aberdare ranges and Mount Kenya. In Tanzania, it inhabits the might Kilimanjaro. In other East African nations, this chameleon is prevalent in forests and woodlands. It is strictly diurnal and prefers to shelter at night.

Diverse lizards can be seen all over East Africa

East Africa boasts a diversity of lizard species more than any other African region. In Kenya alone, the nation has over 90 documented lizard species.  Below are common types of lizards that inhabit East Africa.

·       Long-tailed skink-The long-tailed lizard is common in East Africa’s woodlands and other moist areas. The strictly diurnal lizard has a distinct tail that is thrice the size of its body. While females and males have similar physical traits, the males can be distinguished from their pre-anal pores. The lizard can reach a maximum length of 12 cm.  Being strictly diurnal, the lizard is only visible during morning hours as it basks in the sun. The lizard is extremely fast and agile. Its diet consists of small insects. It also feeds on worms and maggots in the absence of insects. Unlike other lizard species, this lizard is quite fast and it can jump into the air when hunting on flying prey.

·       Striped skink-The lizard species is common throughout East Africa, although it also inhabits other parts of Southern Africa. The bronze-colored lizard has distinct yellowish stripes on both sides of its spine. Both sexes can reach a maximum of 25 cm. Insects, flies, and worms make a significant part of this lizard’s budget.

 

·       Agama –The small-sized lizard has a long tail that gives it a weird appearance. It is strictly insectivorous although, on rare occasions, it can feed on maggots.  The lizards live in East Africa’s bushes, rocky hills, and forests. They are diurnal like most lizard species in East Africa. Unlike most reptiles, this lizard can withstand high temperatures, although it can seek shelter when subjected to extremely hot weather. 

Although Agama lizards are native to Africa, they are invasive in some areas of the world

Crocodiles

Crocs are undoubtedly the largest reptile species in East Africa. The Nile crocodile is native to East Africa’s freshwaters, including rivers, lakes, and swampy regions. On average, this crocodile can grow up to 5.5 meters. However, some Nile crocodiles have reportedly grown to up to 9 meters in length. Described as apex predators, Nile crocodiles are ruthless hunters that can hunt on a wide variety of prey including mammals, fish, smaller crocs, and even humans!

Benjamin is a freelance article writer. His email is benjamuragz@gmail.com

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]]> 1139 Feeding and breeding habits of black rhino https://silvica.site/feeding-and-breeding-habits-of-black-rhino/ Tue, 09 Jun 2020 19:46:08 +0000 http://silvica.site/?p=1126 The black rhino population in Africa is increasing. Understanding the threats, breeding and feeding habits of the rhino could further assist in conservation.

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By David Okul

Black rhinoceros are different from the white rhino in that the latter has a square mouth while the former has a hooked upper lip. They are also smaller as compared to white rhinos. Up to 8 subspecies of black rhinos occur in Africa. Between 1960 and 1995, black rhinos’ populations dropped by a staggering 98% to less than 2,500 individuals in Africa. Concerted conservation efforts have led to the increase of rhino numbers to about 5,500 by writing this post. Regardless, black rhinos are still listed as critically endangered and need all the support to increase their population. 

Scientific name

Diceros bicornis

Weight

800-kgs up to 1,400 for adults

 

Height

1.3 meters to 1.8 meters for adults

Length

 

2.8 meters to  3.8 meters  without tail

Life expectancy

Up to 35 years in the wild and up to 50 years in captivity

IUCN status

Critically endangered since the early 90s

Gestation period

15 to 16  months

General habits of black rhino

Many know the black rhino as an imposing creature. Moreover, it is known for charging wildly at moving objects. Other characteristics of black rhinos include:

  • Black rhinos are relatively sedentary and solitary animals. They can live in one area for the rest of their lifetime.
  • Male black rhinos live separate from other rhinos, although they reunite with fellow rhinos at the start of the breeding season. Females live in small groups alongside their calves. However, black rhinos live in groups and usually travel together when feeding.
  • Black rhinos are active both in the evening and in the morning. Nevertheless, these creatures are less productive at midday hours.
  • Upon detecting danger, they flee while making snorting sounds and curling their tails. Once the threat has passed, they curiously explore the cause of the threat.
  • They usually take mud baths to help them cool off.
  • Black rhinos have poor eyesight, which prompts them to attack every object, including rocks and trees mistakenly.
  • They are not too territorial as they would move in and out each other territories with ease.
  • Adult rhinos have no natural predators thanks to their thick skin, power, and dangerous horns.
habits of black rhinos
Black rhinos are among the endangered species in Kenya

Feeding habits of black rhinos

Black rhinos are herbivores by nature. They feed on leafy plants, thorny wood bushes, fruits, shoots, and branches. Black rhinos mostly prefer feeding on woody plants, which helps save the grass for other wildlife species that depend on grass as their primary diet.  Other feeding habits of black rhinos include:

  • Black rhinos are generalist feeders. As such, these creatures don’t feed on a particular type of food. They can consume more than 200 different plant species. They opt for quality over quantity while choosing their diet.
  • Black rhinos usually consume water at night. The adult black rhino can drink up to72 liters of water when thirsty. However, black rhinos, especially those residing in dry and hot habitats, can last for up to 5 days without water.
  • Black rhinos usually feed for up to 4 hours a day. They exhibit little feeding activity during the early morning hours. Nonetheless, serious feeding among these rhinos takes place from midday to late evening.

Breeding habits of black rhinos

Rhinos are solitary animals except when breeding and when a mother is rearing a calf.

  • Like other rhino species, black rhinos are extremely polygamous. One male has exclusive rights to mate with multiple females.
  • Breeding among black rhinos takes place all year-round. Nevertheless, these creatures have peak breeding periods. These periods differ significantly among black rhino populations, depending on their geographical location.
  • Before breeding starts, black rhinos exhibit courtship behaviors in readiness for mating. These behaviors include sparring with horns and snorting among males.
  • Like most animal species, older males are given priority while mating. They scare away younger rhinos to win over the females. Breeding pairs can mate for 2-3 days. Mating can sometimes last for weeks.
  • Mating takes place multiple times a day, while copulation can last for about half an hour.
  • Females give birth within 15 months after gestation. After birth, the mother hides the calf until it is at least a week old.

Threats faced by black rhinos

Poaching is the biggest threat that the black rhinoceros face. The rhino horn is a valuable product within the illegal wildlife trade circles. A kilogram of rhino horn could fetch as much as US$ 60,000 in the black market.  Asia consumers (notably China and Vietnam) are usually the market for the horns, where they are used for folk remedies. Political instability in countries like Somalia, Sudan, and Angola have worsened the poaching incidents.

Since the population of rhinos is meager, the threat of inbreeding is high.

Habitat fragmentation is also a threat.  

David Okul is an environmental management professional with over 10 years experience on donor projects, conservation, forestry, ecotourism, and community-based natural resources management. When not working on  active environmental management projects, I spend my time writing for Silvica on a variety of topics. The views on this blog post are personal.

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