Samburu National Reserve White-headed buffalo weavers were named for their elaborate nests, which often have multiple compartments and tunnels, that they "weave" together using thorny branches.
Samburu National Reserve AFRICA’S CUTEST ANTELOPE It looks like a miniature springbok and giraffe combined into one. The Gerenuk is a part of the gazelle family and classified as an antelope. They are most commonly found in Tanzania, Kenya, southern Somalia, Ethiopia and Eretria. They are 80 to 100 centimetres in height with extremely long necks, small heads and big eyes and ears. Here are five facts about these unusual (and adorable) little animals. 1. Unusual Eating Habits Unlike other antelopes who eat by grazing, the gerenuk often stands on its two hind legs and uses its two front legs to graze from tree branches. By standing up like this in combination with their long necks mean they can sometimes reach plants up to 2 metres (6 feet) high. 2. No Water Required The gerenuk never has to drink water. Like giraffe, the plants they eat contain enough water to prevent them actually needing to drink it. This is what allows them to survive in desert areas. 3. Interesting Glands Because its appearance wasn’t unusual enough, the gerenuk also has unusual glands. Like many other gazelles, they have preorbital glands in front of their eyes. These glands emit a tar-like substance to mark territory. More uniquely, they also have scent glands on their knees and in the split of their hooves. 4. Good Mamas The gerenuk females are extremely caring mothers. They clean their young immediately after birth, feeds them two to three times a day and eats any leftover food to remove traces of scent that might attract predators. They also speak to their fawns in gentler tones, with soft bleating noises. 5. Threatened Population Despite remaining under the radar, these little antelope are currently listed as ‘Near Threatened’ in terms of conservation status. Habitat loss and fragmentation caused by people has led to a decline in their population. There are only 95 000 remaining across four countries.
Samburu National Reserve Facts about warthogs: * They’re tough. Warthogs are extremely adaptable and can survive long periods of time without water. In fact, they can for several months without water in the dry season. * They don’t have warts! They are named for the ‘wart’ on the sides of their face. However, these are not warts at all, but rather protrusions made up of bone and cartilage. These protrusions act as padding and protection for when males fight during mating season. * They’re speedy! Warthogs can reach speeds of up to 48km/h (30mph) when running. This speed helps them outrun predators and reach their dens for safety. * They ‘wear’ knee pads. Warthogs often kneel to graze on lower grasses. As a result, they have padding on their knees to protect them while kneeling. * They can be foster parents. Warthog sows have been known to foster nurse piglets if they have lost their own litter. This is known as allosucking and is considered as altruism rather than mistaken identity or milk theft. This means warthogs are classified as ‘cooperative breeders’. * They enjoy being groomed! It has been observed that warthogs allow banded mongoose and vervet monkeys to groom them and remove ticks from their hides. Birds also help warthogs fight the battle against pesky insects – oxpeckers and other species sometimes ride on warthogs, eating the insects off their hides.
