Delta Goes to KenyaMay 22 – June 6, 2009

Delta College, Tracom College and Rift Valley Institute Partnership

Game Drive Masi Mara National Reserve

Mammals of Africa

Lion Panthera leoSimba

• Largest of the African cats

• Lions are the most social of cat species forming prides of 3-30 males, females & cubs

• Males can weigh up to 225kg = @ 500 lbs

Female Lioness

Cubs can be born at any time of year, in litters of one to four and weigh @ 3 lbs at birth. They stay

with the mother for up to two years.

Elephant Loxodonta africanaTembo

• Cows have a mass up to 3.5 tons, and bulls 6.3 tons.

• Elephants occur in a wide range of habitats, the only requirements being shade, water, and ample food.

Calves may be born at any time of the year, after a twenty-two month gestation period.

An elephant herd on the Masi Mara taken from a hot air balloon during the Delta goes to Kenya trip –

summer of 2009

Cape BuffaloSyncerus cafferNyati

The only wild cattle occurring in Africa, Cape buffalo are massive and heavily built animals, with males

averaging 700kg.

Cape Buffalo

Most calves are born during the rains, and are able to keep up with the herd just hours after birth.

Vervet MonkeyCercopithecus pygerythrus

The most common species of monkey, Vervet’s are often found close to human habitation.

Monkeys can carry Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) which is genetically similar to HIV

Vervet monkeys are exclusively diurnal and sleep in trees at night.

Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus

• Unlike the leopard, the cheetah’s spots are solid and do not form rosettes.

• Male cheetahs do not establish territories while females do.

This cat is famed for it’s high speed sprints, but it can only maintain high speed for a few hundred

meters.

Cheetah’s on the African Savanna

WarthogPhacochoerus africanus

The warthog’s body is usually grey, but takes

on the color of the local mud in which the animal frequently

wallows.

.

• Warthogs are predominately grazers and frequently kneel when eating.

• They take advantage of abandoned aardvark and porcupine burrows but occasionally dig their own.

TopiDamaliscus korrigum

Topi is one of the largest antelope. The shoulders are higher than the rump, body color is reddish brown to purplish red down the legs.

Topi are often seen among other herding animals such as Blue Wildebeest and Plains Zebra.

• Herds usually consist of fifteen to thirty animals, but larger groups are not uncommon.

• Topi are grazers, preferring short grasses.

GiraffeGiraffa camelopardalisTwiga

• Tallest mammals in the world.

• Stroke – most common cause of death.

• Three species native to Kenya include:– Reticulated giraffe– Masi giraffe– Kenyan giraffe

When eating, they use their lips to pull twigs into the mouth while the tongue curls around them and strips the leaves off.

Thomson’s GazelleGazella thomsoni

Thompson’s Gazelle

• A small gazelle that rarely has a mass of more than 28kg.

• This species occupies open grassland and avoids dense bush.

These antelope form small herds of up to sixty individuals which are led by an old female and accompanied by a mature male.

RhinocerosDiceros BicornisKifaru

Zebra

Punda milia

HippopotamusHippapotamus amphibiusKiboko

• Herds of ten to fifteen animals are usual, but larger groupings are not uncommon.

• At night, they leave the water and follow pathways to grazing grounds.

Close encounter with a hippo

When cows give birth, it is on land, and with dense cover.

Hyena Crocuta crocutaFisi

• The hyena is found in many different habitats but avoids the forest.

• Once considered to be a cowardly scavenger, research has shown that it is an efficient hunter.

• Look for heavily built forequarters, a sloping back, round ears and a loping stride.

• Hyena’s live in family groups called clans, led by a female.

• It lives in family groups, known as clans, which are lead by a female. The size of a clan varies from thee to fifteen or more individuals.

Olive BaboonPapio cynocephalus anubisNyani

• These baboons feed mainly on a variety of plants, but will also kill and eat small mammals such as young antelope and hares.

The young infant clings to its mother’s chest for the first few weeks, but as it grows older, it rides on her back.

The Masi Mara in Kenya and the Serngeti in Tanzania are one continuous park. The reserve is home to a wide range of African

mammals, reptiles and birds.