A great sighting, lioness, and her wildebeest kill.
Lions, like many other predators, have a good reason for removing hair from their prey. The hair and fur of animals can be tough and difficult to digest. By pulling it off, lions make it easier for them to consume the meat and reduce the chance of digestion problems such as furballs. Their rough tongues, covered in tiny, backward-facing spines called papillae, help in scraping off the hair from the prey's body, making the process efficient. This behavior helps in their digestion and ensures they get the maximum nutrition from their meal.
#thespringboklodge #nambitireserve #cellphotography #elephantwalksa #lions
What a fun sighting watching the female giraffe absolutely demolish a young acacia/vachelia bush in the hopes of stopping that irritating itch. Giraffe and many animals will rub against trees and bushes to help with the removal of ticks and parasites.
My personal thoughts are any animal that can use a thorn bush like that needs a lot of respect and can do some damage if they attack you. Love ❤️ Giraffe!
#thespringboklodge #cellphotography #elephantwalksa #nambitireserve
Loving the rain and why not? A great big mud pit.
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Troublestarter! This young elephant was having so much fun with the buffalo. Watch how he feeds acting, not interested, and then next minute full throttle.
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#cellphotography #elephantwalksa #elephantsafari
WHAT'S GOING ON? They clearly know something we don't. Eland and zebra were showing hyperactivity, but due to the long grass, it was difficult to see what all the excitement was about. Watch to the end as the animals reveal themselves once the prey has moved off.
#thespringboklodge #elephantwalksa #cellphotography #eland #lions
The Dung Beetle: Nature's Recycler
Dung beetles, often overlooked play an extraordinary and vital role in our ecosystems. The insects are well known for their unique behavior of rolling dung into round balls, a task that might seem peculiar but is crucial for ecological reasons.
Dung beetles belong to the family Scarabaeidae, with over 6,000 known species spread across the globe. The beetles have a specialized diet that primarily consists of animal feces, which they find using their keen sense of smell. Once a suitable dung pile is located, the beetle will carve out a portion and shape it into a ball.
The meticulously rolled dung balls serve multiple purposes:
1. Food - Adult dung beetles feed on the dung, extracting essential nutrients.
2. Reproduction - Many species use these balls as breeding chambers. Female beetles lay their eggs inside the dung ball, providing a secure and nutritious environment for the developing larvae.
3. Soil Health - By burying dung, these beetles play a critical role in recycling nutrients back into the soil. This process enhances soil fertility, promotes plant growth, and helps control parasitic pests.
Dung beetles have remarkable strength, often being described as the weightlifting champions of the insect world. Some species can roll balls that are up to 50 times their own body weight.
These beetles contribute significantly to ecosystem health and sustainability. By breaking down and burying animal waste, they help prevent the spread of disease, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from decomposing dung, and improve soil structure.
While they may not be the most glamorous of creatures, dung beetles are indispensable to maintaining healthy ecosystems.
Next time you spot a dung beetle rolling its prized ball of dung, take a moment to appreciate the important role it plays in our environment. It's a small but mighty recycler, tirelessly working to keep our environment balanced and thriving. #thespringboklodge #elephantwalksa
How is your Monday morning traffic? Ours is just brilliant!
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As the lion saga continues, the North and South have started to clash over territory. Territorial fights are about food and resources generally. An additional twist to this is the upcoming males wanting to claim their dominance over the females in the area.
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Just love ❤️ Elephant! Feared for their overbearing size yet revered for their silent motion, they are far more sophisticated than many humans think.
This big guy just loves life, playing in the cooler soil and shale. Animals will occasionally feed on different soils that will add nutrients to their diet.
#thespringboklodge #elephantwalksa #cellphotography #nambitireserve
What an exciting week it has been. How do you describe all the brilliant wildlife we have seen? Here are some highlights, and guests were blown away by just how much we have seen even with the rain.
#thespringboklodge #nambitireserve #cellphotography #elephantwalksa #lions#cheetah #hippo
You may not always be in the perfect spot, but when lions do this, it is still one of the greatest sounds in the bush!
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#lions #elephantwalksa