Pictures of African animals

Pictures of African Animals Vervet Monkey and Vervet Monkey Informations

Pictures of African Animals Vervet Monkey and Vervet Monkey Informations

Vervet monkey or simply Vervet is a small to large monkey that are found throughout most of the East and Southern Africa from Ethiopia and Somalia south to the South Africa. They are also found inhabiting Savanna lands and mountains even at height of up to 4000 meters from sea level.

Adult male Vervet Monkey ranges in size from 45-85 cm and weighs 3.5-7.5 kg. Females range from 40-60 cm in length and weigh 2.5-5.5 kg. Length of the tail of both males and females can range from 50-115 cm. Vervet Monkeys are mainly herbivorous and feed on variety of fruits, plants, leaves and seeds, sometimes on insects and small rodents. In Kenya and South Africa, they are classified as vermin, as they often destroy large amounts of crops. They live in a group of 15-20 animals. Vervet monkeys are grey or slightly greenish-grey in color with face, hands, feet and tip of the tail being black. A white band on their forehead make it easy to distinguish them from other monkeys.

Pictures of African Animals Vervet Monkey and Vervet Monkey Informations

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Filed under: Pictures of African Animals — Tags: Africa, African Animals, African Savannah, Cameroon, Congo, elephant, Habitat, Insect, Kenya, Leopard, Lion, Middle East, Namibia, Pictures of African Animals, Pictures of African Animals Vervet Monkey and Vervet Monkey Informations, pictures of animals, Savanna, Society and Culture, South Africa, Vervet, Vervet Monkey — admin @ 12:40 pm March 17, 2009

Pictures of African Animals Elephant Shrew and Elephant Shrew Informations

Pictures of African Animals Elephant Shrew and Elephant Shrew Informations

Elephant Shrew or Jumping Shrew is a small insectivorous mammal native to Africa. Elephant shrews are not related to shrews. They are widely distributed across southern parts of Africa. Although very uncommon but Elephant shrews can be found in any habitats from the Namib deserts to boulder-strewn outcrops in South Africa to thick forests. They were first discovered in Loxton, Northern Cape Province in South Africa.

Elephant shrews vary in size from about 100-300 mm long and with a weight of 50-500 grams. They are quadrupedal with mouse-like tails and rather long legs proportionate to their size. Size of the trunk varies from one species to other however; they are capable of twisting it in search of food. Lifespan of elephant shrews is around 2-3 years. They feed on insects and other small creatures such as beetles, spiders, worms, ants and termites. They also eat seeds and some green shoots. They are very active, wary, well camouflaged and difficult to trap. They stay well hidden and thus it is rare to spot an elephant shrew.

Pictures of African Animals Elephant Shrew and Elephant Shrew Informations

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Filed under: Pictures of African Animals — Tags: Africa, elephant, Elephant Shrew Informations, Habitat, Insect, Jumping Shrew, Namib Desert, Pictures of African Animals Elephant Shrew, Pictures of African Animals Elephant Shrew and Elephant Shrew Informations, South Africa, Termite — admin @ 3:35 pm February 25, 2009

Pictures of African Animals Golden Mole and Golden Mole Informations

Pictures of African Animals Golden Mole and Golden Mole Informations

Golden Mole is a small insectivorous burrowing mammal native to South Africa. Golden moles almost exclusively live underground beneath grasslands, forests, swamps, deserts or mountainous terrains.

Like other burrowing mammals, golden moles have short legs with powerful digging claws, very dense fur that repels dirt, moisture, and toughened skin. Eyes are non-functional and covered with skin and fur. Ears are just tiny openings. They have muscular shoulders. Golden moles have an enlarged third claw on the forelimbs to aid digging. Fifth digit is absent and first and fourth digits are vestigal. Hind feet retain all five toes, which are webbed to allow efficient backward shoveling of the soil loosened with the front claws. Touch is the primary sense of golden moles. They are very sensitive to vibrations that may indicate approaching danger. Size of golden moles is about 8 to 20 cm. They feed on small insects that are searched with the sense of hearing. Majority of the species construct permanent burrows while the desert species can swim through loose sand. Burrows created by golden moles could be as deep as one meter below the ground.