Wildlife – The Little Five

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The words Big Five conjure up mental images of the wild African bush where lion, rhino, elephant, hippopotamus and buffalo roam free. Being able to see all of the Big Five on any safari is a major privilege.

However, if you have a game ranger with serious savvy he may also point out the Little Five.

During our morning walk at Leopard Walk Lodge, our guide helped us track and sex a little Leopard Tortoise lady. Focussing on the little things during a bush walk makes for fascinating viewing in between seeing the big things.

Leopard Tortoise – Geochelone pardalis

It may not be the fastest-moving reptile in Southern Africa, but the leopard tortoise is certainly a fashionable character across the bushveld landscape. The black and yellow spotted exterior shell of the leopard tortoise is decidedly attractive, and this animal is known as one of the largest breeds of tortoise in this part of the world. Indeed, a mature leopard tortoise can weigh in at over 23kg (with a shell circumference of up to one metre). As with us humans, the males are often stockier than the females. The teenage tortoises have dark brown patterns while the adult shell tends to take on shades of yellow and has somewhat smaller spots than its young. These creatures hang out in savannah and grassland areas and particularly like to be close to water.

Rhinoceros Beetle – Scarabaeinae dynastinae

A beetle-on-steroids, one might say! The rhinoceros Beetle is one of the largest beetles to be found in Southern Africa. Like its mammal counterpart, the rhinoceros beetle has formidable horns on its ‘head’. Both male and female beetles have these horns, however it is the male beetle that is known for its aggressive nature (these little fella’s are not shy to use their jagged weapons in combat). The horns are also used to dig, climb and yes, mate.

The Ant Lion – Myrmeleontidae

The Ant Lion is certainly a strange natural phenomenon. In advanced stages this larvae-like creature actually boasts wings and indeed sometimes resembles a dragonfly (although the Ant Lion is not exactly skilled at taking flight). Ant lion larvae dig themselves into the earth in dry, warm spots – where the set ‘traps’ for their prey. They dig a funnel-shaped crater into the earth where they wait for ‘lunch’ (an unsuspecting ant or two) to fall into their open jaws. Whilst this behaviour might seem rather predatory, the ant lion is totally harmless….unless of course you’re another ant!

The Buffalo Weaver – Bubarlornis niger

Photo by Wildlife Photographer Yvonne van der Mey

Whilst the African buffalo may be one of the most formidable animals you will find in the wild – the buffalo weaver is not the aggressive type. The Red-Billed Buffalo Weaver (Bubalornis niger) is found in parks and reserves in South Africa. Their name says it all – these birds are weavers by nature which means one can often recognize their presence long before you get sight of these social birds. They build their nests in the forked branches of tall trees, and particularly like dry branches for the home-building requirements. Buffalo Weavers nest in open colonies and are a rather noisy, busy lot. These birds also have a reputation for making somewhat bedraggled homesteads (coarse grasses and untidy twig structures) and clearly home décor and design is not their thing.

The Elephant Shrew – Elephantulus myurus

These dainty creatures are found the arid lowlands, rocky outcrops and savannah-type landscapes. In academic terms, Elephant Shrew fall into the ground-dwelling mammal category under the exotic grouping known as ‘insectivores’. These critters can be found all across Southern Africa. Unlike its mammal equivalent that can weigh a couple of tonnes, the elephant shrew grows to a length of 250mm with an average weight of 60 grammes. Elephant shrews have a diet of invertebrates but won’t turn down a snack of fruits, seeds or nuts. Unfortunately, they are generally always on the menu for snakes, raptors and other carnivores. These shrews are pretty shy by nature, so chances of spotting one of these earthly creatures on your safari are pretty scarce.

_{Facts source: Wildlife Campus}