Safari Hunt LLC

Leopard

Leopard: The background color of the coat is tan and this can vary from very pale to quite dark. The head, neck and legs are covered in black spots, with more intricate markings, called "rosettes", on the remainder of the body. Each rosette is made up of three or four black spots on the outside with a yellow-brown center. The leopard's underparts are white with black spots. The long tail is also white underneath with rosettes on top. No two leopards have the same markings or color. In fact each leopard's spots are unique, similar to human fingerprints. Other distinguishing features of this spectacular cat are the large head, powerful neck and shoulders, and short, muscular limbs.

The leopard - stealthy, cunning and adaptable - is the ultimate cat, able to live in a wide variety of habitats, from semi-desert to tropical rain forests. Because of this versatility, it is the most numerous of Africa's big cats. Leopards are nocturnal, hunting by night while spending most the day resting, usually draped on tree limbs or lying in thick undergrowth. As a result they're difficult to see, unless you're lucky enough to spot one resting or sunning itself on a rock or tree limb. Once darkness sets in, they move around intermittently until after dawn.

Adult leopards are solitary and territorial and will only associate long enough to mate. Occupation of a territory is advertised by marking with urine and faeces and clawing the bark of trees. Although they are solitary animals and do not live in families, leopards nevertheless have strong maternal bonds. Even though the young become independent at about 22 months, the mother may continue to share kills with her offspring until they become totally self-sufficient.

The leopard is classically feline in its hunting behavior, specializing in ambushing and stalking its prey, then pouncing before the victim can react. With its head low, legs bent and belly nearly touching the ground, a leopard will try to stalk to within three to 10 meters before pouncing. If it misses, it will seldom chase its prey. After a successful pounce, the leopard paralyses its prey with a bite through the back of the neck that damages the spinal cord, then strangles the victim with its powerful jaws. Usually the kill is then taken by the neck and dragged to safety, away from other predators. Leopards often store their kills in trees, out of the reach of lions and hyenas. This requires great power, but is not a problem for leopards - they are renowned for their strength and can haul a carcass of at least their own weight up the vertical trunk of a tree. This massive strength means a big adult leopard is capable of killing prey up to the size of an eland - almost 10 times its own weight! Small prey such as mice, rats and small birds are swatted to death with a single paw strike. Generally leopards will eat any warm-blooded prey, from mice and hares to large antelope. But a leopard is the supreme opportunist and will also eat birds, reptiles, rodents and even insects. If living close to people, it will also attack domestic animals and pets such as dogs. When there are no large predators or vultures in the area, a leopard will leave its kill on the ground covered with loose soil or leaves. Otherwise it will carry its prey up a tree. Leopards will also scavenge if necessary, stealing kills from cheetahs, lone hyenas and any of the smaller carnivores. Excess food is stored to be eaten later and leopards have been observed killing again before the first carcass is completely eaten.

Leopard Hunt (On request)

Steenbok, Name: Raphicerus campestris

Diet Description: Browsers. Shoots, young leaves, flowers, fruits.

Habitat: Open savannah country where they are reliant on adequate cover in the form of taller grass and bushes.
Distribution: Steenbok are abundant in South Africa and distributed widely throughout the country. Considered a common species.
The SteenbokSocialisation: This delicate little dwarf antelope spends the day moving through the savannah in search of food. Although it feeds on many kinds of plants and fruit, the steenbok can go for long periods without drinking, a useful adaptation in a dry habitat.
Reproduction: Gestation is seven months after which a single lamb is born. Lambs are concealed for the first three to four months, during which time the mother only makes contact in the early morning and evening to feed and groom the infant.
Steenbok use old aardvark burrows as places to raise their young, and as refuges from predators

Price - $350.00

Greater kudu

- Tragelaphus strepsiceros; Lesser kudu - Tragelaphus imberbis.
Weight: 120 to 315 kg. (Males: 190 to 315 kg and Females: 120 to 215 kg)
Height: Males: 122 to 150 cm and Females: 100 to 140 cm

The KuduHabitat: Habitat includes mixed scrub woodland, acacia, and mopane bush on lowlands, hills, and mountains. Kudus studied in the Kruger National Park made seasonal movements, dispersing in woodland in the rains and in the dry season clustering along rivers and the bases of hills where the nutritious, evergreen growth is found.
Diet: Herbivorous; A browser, the Kudu eats many kinds of leaves, herbs, fallen fruits, vines, tubers, succulents, and flowers, sometimes varied with a little new grass.
Reproduction: Annual in southern Africa, calving February and March when grass is high.
Gestation: Gestation 9 months; females may conceive at 2, a year before maturing. Males mature at 5 and keep growing.
Predators: Lion, leopard, hyenas. Newborns also vulnerable to smaller carnivores.

Price - under 54 inches $1220.00
            54 inches and over $2150.00

Gemsbok {Oryx Gazella}

The GemsbokThe Gemsbok is a large antelope of striking appearance with long, spearlike horns. It has a thick, horselike neck with a short mane and a compact, muscular body. A defined pattern of black markings that contrast with the white face and fawn-colored body are prominently displayed in dominance rituals to emphasize the length of horns and strength of the shoulder.
The head is marked with black triangular patches and broad black stripes that extend from the base of the horns over the eyes to the cheeks. A ring of black encircles the throat and runs down the neck to the chest. The ears end in a black tip (a black tassel hangs from the ear tip of the fringe-eared oryx). A narrow black stripe runs along the spine, and another one separates the lower flank from the white underparts of the body. The white forelegs have a black ring above the knee and a black patch below. The black tail tassel reaches to the hocks.
The oryx's ringed horns are up to 30 inches long, making them formidable weapons. The female's horns are often longer and thinner than the male's.
Habitat: Originally, various oryx species were found in all of Africa's arid regions. One species that occurred on the Arabian Peninsula was exterminated recently but has now been reintroduced into the wild from captive stock. Well adapted to the conditions of their hot, arid habitats, oryx can live as long as 20 years.
The Gemsbok Diet: Oryx typically feed in early morning and late afternoon and sometimes on moonlit nights. Their diets consists mainly of coarse grasses and browse from thorny shrubs. In desert areas they consume thick leaved plants, wild melons, as well as roots and tubers they dig out of the ground. Gemsbock may drink if water is available but can survive days or even weeks without it.

Price - under 40 inches $1220.00
            40 inches and over $2150.00

Mountain zebras

There are two subspecies of mountain zebras in South Africa which live on rough, rocky highlands, but once also occurred in large numbers in the grassy lowland plains. The Cape mountain zebra of South Africa is the smallest zebra, standing about 4 ft (1.2 m) at the shoulder and weighing about 600 lb (272 kg). The stripes of the Cape mountain zebra are slightly wider and shorter than those of the other subspecies, Hartmann’s mountain zebra of Namibia. The Cape mountain zebra has a dewlap under the lower jaw, which other zebras do not have.
Herds of the common zebra readily mix with herds of wildebeest, but Cape mountain zebras tend to keep apart from other animals. Hartmann’s zebras have the ability to locate water in apparently dry valleys.

Price Burchell’s - $1450.00
Price Hartmann’s - $1950.00

Giraffe

Giraffe is Africa's tallest mammal, reaching full heights of more than 5m. The attractive marking is made up of irregular patches, in varying shades of brown, on a cream or buff background.
Males are larger and darker than females, have thicker horns and have a lump on the forehead. The horn tips are bald in males and old females while hairy in younger females.
Behaviour; Giraffe are most active in the early morning and late afternoon but also feed at night in bright moonlight.
However, unlike many of Africa's wild animals that "disappear" under shady trees during the heat of the day, giraffe continue browsing and because of their size, can be spotted throughout daylight hours.
Giraffe will drink if water is available, but can survive without it. The forelegs are straddled and the knees bent in order to get the head down low enough. While drinking they are very vulnerable and will not drink if suspicious of danger.
Females, calves and juveniles occur in herds of about 10 with only very loose social ties, and a flexible membership. Young males may form small bachelor groups. Mature bulls are nearly always alone, except when they join a female herd for mating. Young males spar by neck wrestling, twisting their necks together and trying to push the opponent off balance.
Reproduction
The giraffe is the only ruminant with gestation longer than a year and a single calf weighing 100kg is born after a gestation of 457days.
Giraffe reach sexual maturity in four to six years. Social bonds between mother and calf persist beyond weaning, until the birth of her next offspring. Calves suffer heavy predation; first year mortality can be over 40%.

Diet: An exclusive browser, the giraffe eats leaves, fresh shoots, flowers, pods, and fruits from trees, of which acacias are the most important source of food. Leaves are removed from thorny branches by combing them between the teeth. Twigs and branches are pulled into the mouth with the long and dextrous tongue.

Sounds, Giraffe are usually silent. They bellow, grunt or snort when alarmed, as when confronted by lions, and can also moo in distress.

Price - $3200.00

Black-Backed Jackal

Black-backed jackals are members of the Canidae family and as such are true dogs. Other jackals of the Canidae family are the less-common side-striped jackal (Canis adustus), and the golden or common jackal (Canis aureus) found mainly in North Africa. The information here applies to the black-backed jackal as it is common in Southern and East Africa and is the jackal most likely to be spotted by those on safari.

Appearance:
The black-backed jackal resembles a medium-sized dog with a distinctly "foxy" look because of the long, sharp snout and big, pointy ears. It has a characteristic "saddle" of black hair, sprinkled with silver, on its back, hence the name.

The face, flanks and legs are reddish-brown, while the throat, chest and underparts come in varying shades of white. The upright, pointed ears are reddish on the outside with white hair lining the inside. The long tail is black and bushy.

For us humans, who relate so well to domesticated dogs, the black-backed jackal is an attractive-looking animal. However, the pointy nose might not appeal to everyone, suggesting the "slyness" and cunning of a fox. What do you think? Feel free to add your comments in the box below.

Behavior: The black-backed jackal is a shy animal and is mainly nocturnal when in conflict with man, but is commonly seen during the day in protected areas like game reserves and national parks. Jackals are usually seen on their own or in pairs.

Black-backed jackal are monogamous & mate for life Jackal pairs form a monogamous bond for life, with both the male and female marking and defending territories.

They generally only leave their territories in search of water, or to feed on larger carcasses when there is diminished hostility from other jackals. Once the food is finished, individuals and pairs return to their territories.

Price - $350.00

Baboon

Baboon: Dog-faced Monkey, Savanna Baboon
Genus: Papio, Species: ursinus
Baboons live mostly in the African woodland savanna, and highland grasslands. They never wander far from trees, or a source of water. The chacma baboon is found in the countries of Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Baboons are the savanna's version of the monkey, and are the largest member of the monkey family. The males can weigh from 59 to 97 pounds (30-40 kg) and are about 20 to 30 in. long (50-70 cm). Females can weigh from 31 to 37 pounds (15- 20 kg) and are 16 to 24 in. long (40-60 cm). It has beady, close-set eyes under a heavy brow, and a dog-like muzzle with sharp tusk-like upper canine teeth. Its muzzle is bare, as is its rump under the tail. They are very hairy animals with olive-gray fur. Its fur sticks up all over its body. They walk on all four feet with their tails held in a crooked arch over their back. Their tails are around 2 feet long. Unlike what you would expect, baboons do not live in trees. They spend most of their time on the ground. The only time they go into trees is to escape predators, get food, or spend the night. They might also spend the night on tall rocky outcroppings. Baboon babies go up in trees to horse around and play with each other. Baboons mostly eat fruit from trees, roots, an assortment of plants, and of course, bugs. Baboons live in groups known as troops. Each troop consists of a dominant male and female, and other adult males and females and offspring. When they travel they have their own specific formation. The dominant male is in the front and the dominant female is behind him. The other males form a circle with the rest of the females and the offspring in the center. Baboons have a very complicated social system which is really just based on becoming and staying dominant.

Price - $350.00

Ostrich

Ostrich; the flightless bird and the world's largest bird. They roam African savanna and desert lands and get most of their water from the plants they eat. Though they cannot fly, ostriches are fleet, strong runners. They can sprint up to 43 miles (70 kilometers) an hour and run over distance at 31 miles (50 kilometers) an hour. They may use their wings as "rudders" to help them change direction while running. An ostrich's powerful, long legs can cover 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters) in a single stride. These legs can also be formidable weapons. Ostrich kicks can kill a human or a potential predator like a lion. Each two-toed foot has a long, sharp claw.

Ostriches live in small herds that typically contain less than a dozen birds. Alpha males maintain these herds, and mate with the group's dominant hen. The male sometimes mates with others in the group, and wandering males may also mate with lesser hens. All of the group's hens place their eggs in the dominant hen's nest—though her own are given the prominent center place. The dominant hen and male take turns incubating the giant eggs, each one of which weighs as much as two dozen chicken eggs.

Contrary to popular belief, ostriches do not bury their heads in the sand. The old saw probably originates with one of the bird's defensive behaviors. At the approach of trouble, ostriches will lie low and press their long necks to the ground in an attempt to become less visible. Their plumage blends well with sandy soil and, from a distance, gives the appearance that they have buried their heads in the sand. Ostriches typically eat plants, roots, and seeds but will also eat insects, lizards, or other creatures available in their sometimes harsh habitat.

Price - $1000.00

Red Hartebeest

Hartebeest , large African antelope of the genus Alcelaphus. The hartebeest resembles a horse with horns. It has a very long face and a small hump between the shoulders; its coat is fawn or reddish and its ringed horns curve up and inward in a U shape. Most kinds of hartebeest stand about 4 ft (120 cm) at the shoulder and weigh about 400 lb (180 kg). Swift animals of the plains, hartebeests usually live in herds of around a dozen animals and are often found associated with other herd animals, such as zebras, gnus, and gazelles. The common hartebeest ( A. buselaphus ) has many races, distributed through most of Africa. Although the races are given different common names (e.g., the kongoni, or Coke's hartebeest, of E Africa), they are quite similar in appearance and behavior and interbreed readily.

Price - $745.00

Black Wildebeest

The black wildebeest, or white-tailed gnu (C. gnou), is a much smaller animal (110–147 kg [240–323 pounds], 106–121 cm [42–48 inches]) and is dark brown to black with a conspicuous white tail, prominent beard, facial tufts, and upright mane. Its curved horns point forward, are 45–78 cm (18–31 inches) long, and are exceptionally dangerous. It was once one of the dominant herbivores of the South African Highveld and Karoo, along with the blesbok, springbok, and now-extinct quagga, but it was hunted nearly to extinction in the late 19th century. However, it slowly recovered, and at the end of the 20th century it numbered around 20,000, though nearly all of these were found on private ranches.
Common wildebeests, with their blunt muzzle and wide row of incisor teeth, are able to feed efficiently and in dense aggregations on the short grasses that carpet plains in the semi-arid zone during the rainy season. Being water-dependent and ever in search of green grass, they migrate when the rains end and spend the dry season roaming the acacia savanna, where there is water, taller grass that stays green longer, and flushes of new grass that come up after fires or local thunderstorms. The Serengeti wildebeest population usually has its annual rut in June, while migrating. Five hundred thousand females are bred within the space of a month by thousands of bulls that compete to hold as many cows as possible on small, temporary territories. The noise and confusion make for one of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events.
Eight months later most of the year’s crop of calves are born during a similarly short birth peak, between the short and long rains. Unlike all other antelopes (except the related blesbok), wildebeest calves accompany their mothers as soon as they can stand instead of hiding for days or weeks. This is an adaptation to migrating. The wildebeest is possibly the most precocious of all hoofed mammals. All wildebeest populations across Africa have declined except for the Serengeti population. Wildebeest are noisy creatures. Bulls have an array of loud vocalizations, from moans to explosive snorts

Price - $1780.00

Blue Wildebeest

Physical Characteristics The largest mammal migration in the world is that of the Serengeti wildebeest. Huge scores of these antelopes congregate on the East African savannas, a sight which few who have seen will forget. Five different subspecies are recognized. The blue wildebeest, or brindled gnu (C. taurinus taurinus), of southern Africa is the largest, weighing 230–275 kg (510–605 pounds) and standing 140–152 cm (55–60 inches) tall. The head of the wildebeest is large and box-like and both males and females have curving horns. The front end of the body is heavily built, the hindquarters slender and the legs spindly. The coat is gray and has a black mane and a beard which may be black or white.
Habitat Wildebeest occupy the plains and acacia savannas of eastern Africa. Behavior When there is enough food for wildebeests to remain relatively sedentary, herds form in the typical fashion of social ungulates: bachelor herds and territorial males with a group of females and offspring. As the dry season deepens, more animals congregate on available grazing lands and thus lose separate herd identities. Wildebeests are continually on the move as they seek favorable supplies of grass and water. The famous Serengeti population of wildebeest is a very large nomadic group. These animals make a migratory circle of 500 to 1,000 miles each year, beginning right after the calving season in January and February on the southeastern Serengeti plains, moving west toward Lake Victoria, then turning north into the Maasai Mara. They are relentless in their advance and many are injured, lost (especially calves) or killed. By the end of the dry season, the wildebeest have almost exhausted the grazing lands and return south to the Serengeti plains as the rains begin. Wildebeest females give birth to a single calf in the middle of the herd, not seeking a secluded place, as do many antelopes. Amazingly, about 80 percent of the females calve within the same 2- to 3-week period, creating a glut for predators and thus enabling more calves to survive the crucial first few weeks. A calf can stand and run within minutes of birth. It immediately begins to follow its mother and stays close to her to avoid getting lost or preyed upon. Within days, it can run fast enough to keep up with the adult herd. A calf eats its first grass at about 10 days, although it is still suckled for at least 6 months. Even after weaning, many remain with the mother until the next year's calf is born. At that time the young males are driven away, but the females often remain in the same groups as their mothers.
Diet The wildebeest’s blunt muzzle and wide row of incisors are adapted for large bites of short grasses. Wildebeests are water dependant and grazing - trampling and manuring the grasses on which they feed stimulates new growth as long as the ground has sufficient moisture. Predators and Threats All wildebeest populations across Africa have declined except for the Serengeti population. Wildebeest are noisy creatures. Bulls have an array of loud vocalizations, from moans to explosive snorts.

Price - $1355.00

Blesbok

SIZE The Blesbok reaches about three feet in height at the shoulder and averages approximately five feet in length.
WEIGHT ranges between 120 and 175 pounds in weight.
FOOD HABITS The blesbok is a grazing animal that shows a preference for short grasses.
HABITAT The blesbok prefers to live in open grasslands with an abundant source of water.
FUN FACT The word “blesbok” is a derivative of the Afrikaans words for “blazed antelope,” which is in reference to the white blaze found on their face.

Price - $770.00

Impala

Physical Characteristics The impala is reddish-brown with white hair inside the ears, over each eye and on the chin, upper throat, underparts and buttocks. A narrow black line runs along the middle of the lower back to the tail, and a vertical black stripe appears on the back of each thigh. Impalas have unique brushlike tufts of black hair that cover a scent gland located just above the heel on each hind leg.
Habitat Impalas are found at grassland and woodland edges, usually very close by water.
Behavior The impala’s social organization allows it to adapt to prevailing environmental conditions. When food is plentiful, males become territorial, shepherding females about their land. In dry periods, territories are abandoned as herds must travel farther to find food. Large, mixed tranquil herds of females and males form.

A surprised impala herd will leap in a seemly unorganized “explosion.” However, close observation shows that this reaction actually helps keep the herd together, eventually establishing a general flight path. Initially, an individual impala leaps up, casting about from left to right, which tends to bring individuals into contact with each other. High jumps into the air also allow impalas to release signals from the fetlock scent gland in mid-air. This scent is easier for a rapidly running impala to pick up than one left on the ground.

In East Africa young are born year round, but birth peaks usually coincide with the rains. The female leaves the herd and seeks a secluded spot to bear her fawn. After giving birth she cleans the fawn and eats the afterbirth. If the fawn is born at a time when there are few other young around, the mother will stay with it in seclusion spot for a few days or even leave it lying out for a week or more before returning to the herd. If there are many other fawns, she may take hers back to the herd in a day or two, where a nursery group may form. Because predators have more difficulty selecting an individual from a nursery group, the fawns are safer there. The young are suckled for 4 to 6 months and grow rapidly, reaching maturity at a little over a year. The young males, however, are evicted from their mothers' groups when they are 6 months old, staying around the edges of the herd until they join a bachelor group. During this transition period they are most vulnerable to predators. Males will not be mature enough to hold a territory until they are 5 or 6 years old.
Diet Able to both graze and browse, the impala has both a greater and more reliable food supply than animals that do either one or the other. It eats young grass shoots in the wet season and herbs and shrubs at other times.
Predators and Threats Impalas are often found on cattle ranches, where they may be killed for their meat and hides. The southern subspecies of impala is one of the wildlife species of focus in AWF’s southern African Limpopo Heartland. The project hopes to strengthen economic ties between Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe by enhancing tourist opportunities in the region.
Did You Know? The female is similar to the male but does not have horns. The male's graceful lyre-shaped horns are 18 to 37 inches long. During periods of intense mating the male vocalizes loudly, making a sound between a lion's roar and a dog's bark. Exhausted by such activity, males seldom can hold their territories for more than a few months at a time.

Price - $1200.00

Springbok

The Springbok is the national symbol of South Africa. It prefers the more arid savannahs of the country, moving around at high speeds. In fear of attack, each springbok lets out a high pitched alarm. Typical of this species is the jumping display which lead to its common name. Both sexes have horns but those of the ram are thicker and rougher. Springbok are fast sprinters. They reach speeds of 80 km/h and jump more than 10 metres. Interesting jumping behaviour can be observed during and after the rare rainfalls. It is believed that for the joy of living, the animals jump up and down like bouncing balls, stretching their front and rear legs simultaneously and bending their heads down. (called 'pronking'). Size: The Springbok / Springbuck stand 75 cm high and weighs about 40 kg Lifespan: 10 years
Diet: Grasses, Leaves.
Habitat: Savannah; This species has adapted to the dry, barren areas and open grass plains and is thus found especially in the Free State, North West Province and in the Karoo up to the west coast Socialisation: Springbok are herd animals and move in small herds during winter, but often crowd together in bigger herds in summer. They eat both grass and leaves and can go without drinking-water, because they get enough moisture from the succulent leaves. Where drinking-water is available they will use it. Reproduction: Breeding occurs all year round. Each female gives birth to one fawn.

Price - $660.00

Klipspringer

The Klipspringer ('rock jumper' in Afrikaans) is a small African antelope that lives from the Cape of Good Hope all the way up East Africa and into Ethiopia. Reaching approximately 58cm at the shoulder, klipspringers are relatively small animals compared to some of their larger antelope cousins. Males have fragile horns that are usually about 20-25cm long. With a thick and dense speckled patterened coat of an almost olive shade, klipspringers blend in well with the rock outcrops on which they can usually be found. Klipspringers are herbivores, eating rock plants. They never need to drink, since the succulents they subsist on provide them with enough water to survive.
Name: Oreotragus oreotragus
Habitat: Rocky locations, including mountains and gorges.
Distribution: Southern and Eastern Africa.
Diet Description: Herbivores, eating rock plants.
Size: Stand 53 to 58 cm.
Socialisation: Found most commonly in pairs, as solitary individuals or in small family groups, although slightly larger groups may congregate temporarily at feeding sites.
Reproduction: Gestation is 6 months. A single lamb is born at any time of year.
Predators: Leopards, hyaenas, baboons and large birds of prey.

Price - $2200.00

Duiker

Physical Characteristics Duikers are small antelopes that inhabit forest or dense bushland. They are a good example of how an animal can be very successful in finding and filling a certain ecological niche. They are the most widespread of all the forest antelopes and are represented in East Africa by 13 of their 17 species. The smallest of the duikers is the blue duiker, which in East Africa is found in Uganda, western Kenya and parts of Tanzania. The largest is the yellow-backed duiker, which ranges across the whole of the African tropical forest block. Populations of the yellow-backed duiker are also found on Mt. Elgon and on the Mau in Kenya. This duiker reaches up to 35 inches in height and 175 pounds in weight. It has distinctive, long whitish-yellow to orange hair that stands erect on the back. A striking peculiarity of the duikers in the genus Cephalophus is that they all have the same distinctive body type, although the different species vary in size. Duikers have low-slung bodies on slender legs, wedge-shaped heads topped by a crest of long hair, and relatively large eyes. With their heads held close to the ground, duikers can move easily through the dense vegetation of forests and bushlands. They regularly run through these areas and when disturbed, plunge into thick cover to hide. This trait is the source of the name "duiker," which in Dutch means "diver."
Duikers are divided into two groups: forest duikers and bush duikers. The bush duiker is more slender, with larger ears, than the forest duiker. Environment and habitat can influence the overall body shape and coloration of animals: Thus, the duiker living in open habitat is longer-legged, less hunched-backed and lighter in color (tawny or gray) than the species that inhabits the dense, dark forests.
The bush duiker is represented by only one species known as the common or Grimm's duiker. This is the most widely distributed duiker in East Africa and is found in a large range of habitats at different elevations, but never in deep forest. Unlike the forest species, the bush duiker with its long legs is able to run fast for some distance. All duikers freeze and crouch to escape detection. The duikers have dark, slick glossy coats but their tails have white hair that contrasts with the dark body. The tail is constantly in motion with each movement looking like a tiny torch being switched on and off in the forest gloom. Even though the bush females are larger than the males, they usually do not have horns. Male and female forest duikers are about the same size and both have horns. Duiker horns are small and spikelike, lying so flat against the head that they are not too useful in fighting.
Habitat The little blue duiker and yellow-backed duiker species live in montane, riverine and rain forests. The bush duiker lives mostly in moist savannas; it avoids rain forests.
Behavior Males do fight, especially when territory is invaded. Duikers inhabit fairly small territories marked with the secretions from the preorbital gland below each eye. Even though a pair will live together in the territory, they will spend most of the time apart. Courtship involves prolonged and noisy chases about the territory before mating, after which a single young is born. A calf can run within hours of birth, but usually lies hidden for long periods of time between sucklings. It grows rapidly and is adult-sized at 6 to 7 months. The young utter a loud bleat when in danger, quickly signaling adults in the area.
Diet Duikers have interesting and varied feeding habits. The large mouth permits them to feed on sizable fruits, mushrooms and other bulky items. They eat berries and fruit that have fallen naturally, as well as those dropped by monkeys, but most of their diet consists of foliage from bushes and trees. On occasion duikers may eat insects, lizards, birds and rodents.
Predators and ThreatsDuikers have lived as long as 12 years in captivity, when bred as food sources of cheap meat in West Africa. They are popular as pets, even though males tend to become dangerous as they mature. Among their natural enemies are the lion, leopard, cheetah, serval, hunting dog, hyena, jackal, baboon, python, crocodile and eagles. Large owls, monitor lizards and genets prey on the young. Despite so many predators, the duikers have successfully managed to maintain their numbers.
Did You Know? Duiker pairs devote a great deal of time to grooming one another's heads, which apparently aids in bonding pairs; it may also help individuals recognize their own species and discourage interbreeding with others. Hunters imitate the bleat of duikers and set snares on their runs. The animals are hunted for their meat, skins and horns, which are popular in some areas as charms against evil spirits. Bush duikers may be hunted in reprisal for raiding crops.

Price - $390.00

Eland

Physical Characteristics The cowlike eland is the world's largest antelope and is the animal most often depicted in the early rock art of East Africa. Even today, it still holds an important place in the mythology of some southern African tribes. The cow-like eland is the world's largest and slowest antelope. However, it has the endurance to maintain a trot indefinitely and can jump an 8 foot fence from a standstill. Both males and females have horns that spiral tightly, though female horns tend to be longer and thinner. A tuft of black hair grows out of the male eland's prominent dewlap, the loose fold of skin that hangs down from the neck. Adult males also have a mat of hair on the forehead that grows longer and denser as the animal ages. Usually fawn or tawny-colored, elands turn gray or bluish-gray as they get older; the oldest animals become almost black.
Habitat Elands are found in grassland, mountain, subdesert, acacia savanna and miombo woodland areas. They distance themselves from deserts, forests and swamps.
BehaviorThe social organization of the eland is somewhat different from that of other antelopes. The older the male, the more solitary its tendencies, while younger animals may form small groups. Males are also more sedentary than females, who may travel widely, especially during the dry season. Females and young are found in loosely cohesive groups. Calves spend a lot of time grooming and licking each other, developing bonds even stronger than those of a calf with its mother. The attraction calves exhibit towards each other probably developed as a defense tactic, as herds with calves are consistently larger than those without.
Eland young are born year round. Females with young calves come together in nursery groups, where the young spend a lot of time grooming and licking each other and developing bonds even stronger than those of a calf with its mother. After the young are weaned at about 3 months, the mothers rejoin the female herds and the calves remain together in the nursery group. With year-round births, some adult females are always present in a nursery group and they defend all juveniles present, not just their own. Juveniles usually remain in the nursery groups until they are almost 2 years old, when they begin to wander off and join other loose groupings of their own sex.
Diet Although the eland is often considered a plains-dwelling animal, they browse more than graze, feeding in areas where shrubs and bushes provide the leaves they prefer and using their horns to bring twigs and branches into reach. They also consume certain fruits, large bulbs and tuberous roots.
Predators and Threats Due to the eland’s size and docility, as well as its rich milk, tasty meat and useful hide, it is becoming an increasingly popular ranch animal. However, its need for a vast range to find sufficient browsing and its low density in number create game management problems and this new idea may not be viable in the long term.
Did You Know? Although eland groups are not very stable and animals move from one to another, a dominance hierarchy that is usually based on size, strength and age does exist.

Price - $1995.00

Warthog

Physical Characteristics Neither graceful nor beautiful, warthogs are nonetheless remarkable animals. They are found in most of Africa south of the Sahara and are widely distributed in East Africa. They are the only pigs able to live in areas without water for several months of the year. By tolerating a higher-than-normal body temperature, the warthog is perhaps able to conserve moisture inside its body that might otherwise be used for cooling. (Camels and desert gazelles have developed a similar mechanism for survival in hot, arid environments.)
The warthog is a tough, sturdy animal. Males weigh 20 to 50 pounds more than females, but both are distinguished by disproportionately large heads and “warts”—thick protective pads that appear on both sides of the head. The warthog's large tusks are unusual: The two upper ones emerge from the sides of the snout to form a semicircle; the lower tusks at the base of the uppers are worn to a sharp cutting edge. Sparse bristles cover the warthog's body, although longer bristles form a mane from the top of the head down the spine to the middle of the back. The long tail ends with a tuft of bristles. The warthog characteristically carries its tail upright when it runs, the tuft waving like a tiny flag.
Habitat Warthogs are found in moist and arid savannas. They avoid rainforest, deserts and high mountains.
Behavior Warthogs live in family groups of a female and her young. Sometimes two families, often of related females, will join together. Males normally live by themselves, only joining the groups to mate. Warthogs sleep and rest in holes. Although they can excavate, warthogs normally use those dug by other animals, like aardvarks. The shelter a hole provides is important for warthog thermoregulation—having neither fur nor fat, the warthog lacks both protection from the sun and insulation from cold. Sometimes warthogs will line their holes with grass, probably to make them warmer. Before giving birth to a new litter, the female chases away the litter she has been raising and secludes herself. These juveniles may join up with another solitary female for a short time before they go on their own. Female warthogs only have four teats, so litter sizes usually are confined to four young. Each piglet has its "own" teat and suckles exclusively from it. Even if one piglet dies, the others do not suckle from the available teat. Although the young are suckled for about 4 months, after 2 months they get most of their nourishment from grazing.
Diet The warthog is mainly a grazer and has adapted an interesting practice of kneeling on its calloused, hairy, padded knees to eat short grass. Using its snout and tusks, it also digs for bulbs, tubers and roots during the dry season. They may eat earthworms and other small invertebrates during the wet season.
Predators and Threats Outside of protected areas, the warthog’s range is declining. They are killed for raiding wheat, rice, bean or groundnut fields. People in some agricultural areas also eliminate warthogs as they can carry African swine fever.
Did You Know? The warthog has poor vision (though better than most other African wild pigs), but its senses of smell and hearing are good. When alarmed, the warthog grunts or snorts, lowers its mane, flattens its ears and bolts for underground cover.

Price - $500.00

Cheetah

Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Region: Africa
Status: Endangered
Litter Size: 3 to 5 Cubs
Birth Weight: About 7 lbs. (.3 kg)
The Cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth. Cheetahs can reach up to speeds of 65 MPH. Cheetahs can reach up to 45 MPH in just two seconds. Cheetahs have non-retractable claws that give them a strong grip on the ground to help them turn when they are running fast. Cheetahs live on savannas and grasslands of southern and eastern Africa. Cheetahs weigh 100 to 130 Lbs. The Cheetahs black spots help them blend into the savannas. Cheetahs have 2000 to 3000 spots. Cheetahs have black lines known as "Tears" near their eyes that run down the side of their nose that help to block the sun's glare. They are also believed to enhance the snarl when defending their territory. Cheetahs make a chirping sound to communicate with each other. With a Cheetahs powerful legs they can cover up to 20 feet in just one stride. The Cheetahs long tails helps it to keep its balance as it runs. Cheetahs can see up to three miles away. Cheetahs can live seven to ten years in the wild and up to 16 years in captivity

Price - (On request)

Caracal (Opportunity)

Price - $350.00

Damara Dik-Dik

Price - $2200.00

Sable

Price - (On request only)

Waterbuck

Price - $3000.00