Among the smaller species you will find jackal, bat-eared fox, warthog, honey badger and ground squirrel. So, hunting as a group within a pride makes lion hunting easier. According to their mythology, there was once a small village at the centre of the pan that was raided by a rival tribe. The desiccated and bleached soils of the pan are dry for most, if not all, of the year. Etosha offers that iconic image of Africa: a waterhole surrounded by animals, the very epitome of an oasis teeming with life beneath the merciless sun. Situated in northern Namibia, Etosha National Park is a fenced reserve that is one of the countrys most popular safari destinations, with the stark otherworldly scenery and spectacular wildlife viewing being the parks two major drawcards. Birders will love the rainy season in Etosha. Much like wolves, theres a definite hierarchy to mealtimes. Driving during the rainy season can get a lot trickier as roads can be flooded and having an equipped vehicle will make the journey a lot more enjoyable. The cooler and less humid winter air also means the animals are less lethargic and more active, and so are you. 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. They mainly live in the lower part of the National Park and they are seen at the waterholes surrounded by large crowds of wildebeests, gemsbok, springbok, and gemsboks. In winter, the waterholes offer a unique opportunity to sit and wait for your subjects to come to you. Hyenas are pack animals, they live in groups called clans, so when the number of hyenas is more than the lions could suitably scare away, the hyenas get to keep their food. Eating a cub from another territory is a way to stake the claim on the territory and the females, or at the very least helping reduce the numbers that may become a large, rival pride of lions. Original file (1,600 1,200 pixels, file size: 678 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.000139.x, Hayward MW, OBrien J, Hofmeyr M, Kerley GIH (2006b) Prey preferences of the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) (Felidae: Carnivora): morphological limitations or the need to capture rapidly consumable prey before Kleptoparasites arrive? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'rangerplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_13',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');But when the hyena clan is fewer in numbers, nothing can match the power of lions, which is another reason why its called The king of the jungle. This content has been checked and verified by a qualified veterinary practitioner. Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade. After good rains the 5 000 km Etosha Pan fills with water and attracts a pink cloud of flamingo. These location data help answer many important questions about their ecology. During winter theEtosha Panis bone dry. African elephant: Etosha National Park is home to large herds of elephants which can easily be seen at the different waterholes around the National Park, especially during the dry season. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Chapman & Hall, London, Pienaar U (1969) Predator prey relationships among the larger mammals of the Kruger National Park. The avian residents of the park make up an eclectic mix that ranges from flamingos to the colourful lilac-breasted roller and eagles soaring high above. In fact, lions in the wild, especially during autumn and winter get more than half of their food through scavenging. Etosha National Park, Namibia Waterholes are a trap. In summer when lions hunt, theyre seen to drag the prey into some shade, to make eating more comfortable in hot, dry weather. Understanding lion ecology and population threatsis integral to continued conservation efforts. But once the lions go, the other animals start to arrive. Record breaking species are the ostrich as the worlds largest bird and the kori bustard, which is the heaviest flying bird. However, even if the hunt is performed as a group, its the male lions who get the chance to feed first, then followed by the lioness and the cubs and older ones as before. This website uses cookies to optimise your online user experience. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'rangerplanet_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_21',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-narrow-sky-2-0');Take a look at these similar articles: Heres the video outlining the above article from our Ranger Planet youtube channel. Predators know that their prey must come to one of these waterholes. Protecting lions also means protecting the habitats they live in and other species they live alongside. Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. We have already seen some incredible things like the sand dunes of the Namib Desert but I think this might be the highlight. They can depend on a number of factors, such as wind speed, or maneuvering while at speed. Demography. Apart from the height of the rainy season during the summer months, these waterholes offer the only available water for the parks multitudinous animal species. The park is a wasteland of white dust which comes from the clay in the pan. So do coyotes eat foxes? Your email address will not be published. Procedure 1) Have students write notes on how the various animals obtain their food: eating plants, pouncing, jumping into the air and chasing. It is also one of the few countries where animals still roam freely mostly unrestricted by human influence. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'rangerplanet_com-leader-2','ezslot_15',169,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-leader-2-0');This is not necessarily because theyre thirsty, but mainly to hunt down animals that will come to these locations to drink water which makes sense. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'rangerplanet_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',162,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-rangerplanet_com-medrectangle-4-0');But lets start with a brief summary answer and a quick list as to the animals that lions eat, then well get into more details, What do lions eat? Yet is the black rhino that truly steals the show in Etosha. They also take hours to make the journey but only because they constantly stop to eat, pulling leaves off trees with their trunks. 2004, Trinkel & Kastberger 2008. They show no signs of cowardice as they make their way towards the waterhole. Most of these birds assemble in great numbers at the Etosha Pan for a little refreshment when the pan becomes filled with water during the summer season, which extends over the months between November and April. Hi Michael, Yet the surrounding areas overflow with springbok and zebra. There are, however, major differences in prey preferences and prey selection of spotted hyenas within the national park. Every day, the animals here on the dry savannah of Namibia have to make the journey to a waterhole in order to survive. Many keen photographers visit the park looking to enhance their skills and photo- library. Further reading: Exploring Etosha and Etosha Through My Eyes. I wonder why the elephants are not predators? Goshawks sit in the branches and eight species of owl can be spotted after sunset. We have many specials offers especiallyf or you. If a female's body size is approximately 130kg, she must consume 13,500 kcal per day to survive and succeed in the environment. The Etosha Pan provides a breeding ground for the flamingos one of only two areas in the entire Southern Africa region to do so. And this is what makes them so vulnerable. Among the birding highlights, more than a million flamingos have been counted in Etosha during particularly wet years. The best time to see them is during January and February when water is present in the pan. The summer in the park is vastly different with heavy rains turning a dry dusty Etosha National Park into a lush green oasis. Long-limbed giraffes assume their awkward straddle, reflected in the shimmering pan, and the imposing figure of a statuesque white elephant looms large, dwarfing the slight springbok in comparison. Though there are no official published numbers, Namibia is home to around half of the worlds black rhino, and many of these are found in Etosha. The area around Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is one of the last remaining strongholds for wild lions in the world. More than 340 species of bird can be found at the national park, both local and migratory. Like most animals that hunt, lions generally tend to eat their prey at the same place as they brought the animal down. Falco feldeggii Schlegel, 1841. Some might say that lions eat vegetation, in cases where food is scarce, this may be true. Wildebeest: these are a common sight within the National Park being seen at almost every waterhole. During this time, lions tend to look for and eat small prey like: Although they eat pretty much anything they can prey on, lions mostly hunt down animals that have a mass of 50 to 300 kg. Etosha is a place of extremes, either a parched white wilderness or a lush green land of plenty. It is also advised to do a lot more driving to view the wildlife as animals tend to keep clear of the once active waterholes that posed such dangers during the dry season. Required fields are marked *. These waterholes have been open for several years now and have recently been revamped, ensuring that the wildlife becomes more prolific in these areas. But it's also the daily action that puts their survival most at risk. The Etosha National Park is located in the north of Namibia. Springboks take a similar approach and also come in a big group although not quite as large as the zebras. The feeding ecology of the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta was studied in the central and eastern part of the Etosha National Park, Namibia, finding differences in prey selection and preferences were reflected in differences in hunting group sizes. Monitoring lionsacross large areas is a difficult task. It's only now he's decided, along with his partner Fran, to begin documenting what he knows. There are currently only 4 out of the big five in Etosha with lions and the African elephant being the most commonly seen. They also feed on the carrion and kills made by other animals. The area around Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is one of the last remaining strongholds for wild lions in the world. Lions face many threats today, including habitat loss and fragmentation, pressures from illegal wildlife trade, human-lion conflict (HLC) and the effects of climate change. Every day is an adventure. Robert Bernatzeder liked this on Facebook. The warthogs are a common sight as you drive to the National Park on the roadside but surprisingly when you get to the National Park, they are a rare sight. Lions are carnivores, and apex predators, and will mainly eat small animals when food is scarce. You can also access Dolomite from the Galton Gate which is located in the western border of park. And then there are the other animals we spot along the way. A number of man-made and natural water holes decorate the arid landscape, and the areas around these waterholes are where many of the best sightings are to be experienced, with most of the parks larger mammals often having to cover substantial distances across the open plains to find a place to quench their thirst. Available for both RF and RM licensing. Leopards: this is one of the big five and rarely seen due to its nocturnal nature. Lions: the lions in Etosha and the whole of southern Africa are known to be in perfect health since they are not infected with the FIV which affects most African lions. And as you sit there relaxing (perhaps with a drink in the evening, if you like), you can watch as the animals all come in for their own drink. But what would that be exactly? Hyenas mainly hunted migratory ungulates such as springbok Antidorcas marsupialis, zebra Equus burchelli, and blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, but also resident species such as the greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros and gemsbok Oryx gazella. The zebras take the safety in numbers approach to their defences. For a lion, its easy to just wait near the water for your daily meal to come along. When hunting in groups, lions plan very strategically and take positions rather like the pieces in chess would line up for a checkmate move. Covering a whopping 20,000 square km, Etosha National Park is home to 4 of the big 5 including the endangered black rhino, 114 species of mammals and 340 species of birds. link to Top 10 Fastest Animals on the Planet and Their Speeds, link to Do Coyotes Eat Foxes: No, Why and What Actually Happens. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Le Roux CJG, Grunow JO, Morris JW, Bredenkamp GJ, Scheepers JC (1988) A classification of the vegetation of the Etosha National Park. Abstract The responses of animals to seasonal food shortages can have important consequences for population dynamics and the structure and function of food webs. But it means that if you move around between the various drinking spots, your chances of seeing animals is much higher. For to enjoy your game viewing experience while in Etosha is during the dry season. I watch them slowly make their way towards water in the afternoon and, as they get close, see the other animals drinking suddenly rush away. While the wetter, greener summer months make big game viewing a more tricky exercise, with animals easily hidden in the long summer grass, this season is clearly the season for bird lovers at Etosha National Park. The elephants are the complete opposite. The big five are a top tourist attraction in Africa and the animals that make up the big five include buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinos. This is the busiest of all the camps, both in terms of functioning as the administrative centre of the park, as well as attracting the most visitors. The best place for one to spot the hyenas is at the Goas waterhole. J Zool (Lond) 270:606614, Hayward MW, Kerley GIH (2005) Prey preferences of the lion (Panthera leo). The best time however to spot them is in the evening or late in the night since they are mainly nocturnal animals. The large mammals in Etosha National Park include lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, cheetah, hyena, mountain and plains zebra, springbok, kudu, gemsbok and eland. Another perhaps equally interesting fact about a lion and what they eat, is that theyre greedy animals. All the opinions expressed are my own I truly believe G Adventures is one of the best tour companies that you can use for a trip to Namibia. Top 10 Fastest Animals on the Planet and Their Speeds. In this situation, the. Bushes along the road turn white as vehicles throw up dust and visitors who leave the park usually have a dusty aura around them! More than340 bird specieshave been counted in Etosha National Park. The backdrop of the vast Etosha Panmakes game viewing in Etosha a unique experience. While game viewing benefits from dry conditions, the summer rains turn some of the vast pans into seasonal lakes and attract migratory and wetland species. Predators know that their prey must come to one of these waterholes. Their nocturnal social gatherings around certain waterholes have become almost legendary, turning the myth about black rhino being cantankerous and solitary on its head. You can skip to the video at the end of the article from the Ranger Planet Youtube Channel, or continue reading. If you do not yet have our app see the instructions below this story. To comment on this story: To protect you against trolls & misinformation, we only permit comments in our app. : Planning a trip to Etosha but not sure when to visit? Please click on this logo for more information. Overall, these various waterholes tend to offer the park's best opportunities for both big and small game sightings, especially during the dry winter months . A large population of the white Rhinos can be seen around the Namutoni camp and Oshikoto region and just like the black Rhinos, it is rarely seen and can best be viewed at night. (RSA) +27 (87) 551-8105 Soon after, the lioness will follow. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative, Over 10 million scientific documents at your fingertips, Not logged in The likely scientific explanation for the formation of the endorheic basin is that tectonic shifts redirected the flow of the Kunene River and the lake dried up over time probably around the same time as the formation of the Okavango Delta. It is a wildlife photographers dream a scene shimmering in the heat where Africas quintessential creatures assemble in numbers that boggle the mind. Hyenas: Hyenas in Etosha are extremely rare and you might not see these species just one at a time throughout your stay in the National Park. First thing in the morning, we find a pride of female lions who are keeping a watchful eye on a couple of beautiful cubs. J Anim Ecol 71:236246, Jacobs J (1974) Quantitative measurements of food selectiona modification of the forage ratio and Ivlevs electivity index. 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