The Caracal (Felis caracal)

/2 Comments/in /by

The Caracal (Felis caracal)

The Caracal (Felis caracal): is a medium-sized wild cat that can run up to 50 miles per hour. It is also capable of leaping into the air and knocking down (10-13) birds at once. The name caracal is derived from a Turkish word “Karakulak” meaning “black ear”. The old saying “to put the cat amongst the pigeons” stems from an old middle east practice of putting a caracal in an arena. This was with a flock of pigeons and taking bets how many the caracal can catch once it is released. A caracal’s black, tufted ears gives it a different look from most cats in the wild. In addition, its speed and ability to leap into the air makes it an excellent hunter.

Appearance

A large, rufous-fawn cat with tufted black ears, creamy underbelly with faded orange spots and long legs. The face has exquisite markings, and its regarded as one of the most beautiful cats in the world. It moves with grace and a sense of confident and power. Besides, it’s an expert climber and regularly takes refuge in trees.

Size

From head to tail, the caracal measures 33-48 inches (83-123 centimeters) including their tail. They are known to be the heaviest of the small African cats weighing from 9.5 to 18 kilograms. The males are generally larger than females.

Habitat

Caracals live in the drier savannah and woodland regions of sub-Saharan Africa and prefer the scrubbier arid habitats. They will also inhabit evergreen and montane forests but are not found in tropical rainforests.

Communication

They make a variety of mews, hisses and growls to express their mood just like other cats. Caracals are usually silent but can cry out like a leopard if need be. In addition to that, they make a “wah-wah” sound when they seem to be uneasy.  Furthermore, they have got scent glands between their toes and face which is used to get a message across. They can also sharpen their claws on a tree and mark their territory visually and will scent at the same time. The scent basically serves to keep other caracals away or even to indicate a willingness to breed.

Social structure

The social system of the caracal is not well understood thou they are primarily solitary or live as mated pairs. Besides, individuals appear to defend territories which they mark with urine.

Behavior

This animal is the mostly nocturnal, secretive, solitary and aggressive. Being hunted as a problem animal by farmers, caracals became even more elusive and thus sighting one is very difficult.

Breeding

In most parts of its range, the caracal has no set breeding period. Interestingly, a female may often mate with up to 3 males. The litter size varies between (1-6) kittens, which are born after a gestation period of approximately 78 days. The kittens have a daily weight gain of approximately 12g per day. Although they reach maturity at about (16-18) months of age, they are often independent from about 12 months.

Reproduction

These caracals keep to themselves until it’s time to mate. One of the most unique caracal sounds is a mating call that sounds sort of like a cough. However, several male caracals may fight or compete for the attention of one female caracal. Eventually, it chooses a male out of the group. After mating, the male leaves the female caracal such that she can raise the babies on her own.

Babies

A female caracal carries her babies (kits) for about 69 to 81 days. She finds an old den or burrow where she can give birth away from the predators and other threats. They can also have from 1 to 6 kits although most have just 2 kits. A caracal kit is about the size of a pet hamster and are born with their eyes just like the domesticated kittens. However, it takes about 6 to 10 days for a kit’s eye to completely open. In fact, they are able to squirm around but can’t see where they are going. These kits start nursing and eating meat at 10 weeks old. Later, they learn hunting skills from their mother and stay with her until they are about 10 months old. 

Lifespan

The average lifespan for both female and male caracals is 12 years old in the wild. However, caracals kept in the zoo can live up to 17 years. This is because they are not threatened by predators, receive food on a daily basis and also get medication when needed. As it ages in the wild, it can become ill from untreated skin infections and other infectious diseases due to injuries. Just like domestic cats, a caracal can get rabies from other animals leading to death.

Diet

The caracals are strictly carnivorous, and they prey primarily on birds, rodents and small antelopes. Just like most cats, caracals stalk their prey before pouncing on it and in areas of human settlement, these cats sometimes eat poultry. They sometimes store the remains of their prey in the forks of trees or even in dense bushes later returning for further feeding. Furthermore, they are supremely acrobatic and can leap agilely into the air to bring down prey.

Facts about caracals

  • Caracals are known on occasion to store their kills in trees, in the manner of leopards. In fact, this habit is likely to occur in areas with a high density of hyenas.
  • The caracal is the origin of the expression “put the cat among the pigeons”. In ancient India and Iran, trained caracals were released into arenas containing a flock of pigeons. Here, wagers were then placed on how many birds the cat would take down in a leap.
  • These animals are capable of taking small, domestic livestock and thus suffer heavy persecution from farmers. From 1931 to 1952, an average of 2,219 caracals per year were killed in control operations in South Africa’s Karoo.

Where are caracals found?

Generally caracals live in woodlands, savannahs and in scrub forests. If you can to see them in Uganda, caracals are only found in Kidepo valley national park.

African Leopards (Panthera pardus)

/0 Comments/in /by

African Leopards (Panthera pardus)

African Leopards (Panthera pardus)  : are one of the most feared but respected animals in the world. In Uganda; it is called Ngo (Luganda tribe) also one of the 52 totems of Buganda, Eris (Iteso tribe) and Engwe (Bakonjo tribe). Leopards are generally big cats known for their golden, spotted bodies and graceful, yet ferocious hunting techniques. In most parts of Africa, there is a belief that leopards sometimes represent the super natural powers. In fact, most African kings have the leopard skin as part of their seats and the logic is that they share in the invincibility of the giant cat.

There is also a belief that sometimes leopards represent a spirit (Musambwa). Therefore, whenever a leopard is sighted in an area, people are advised to be careful before attacking it. Besides, some of the leopards might be spirits, a traditional healer for example salongo ssentongo in Luwero. Uganda cautions that such leopards neither attack humans nor domestic animals and instead they are harmless. As a matter of fact, in some parts of Luwero village, there are leopards that are known by the villagers. In Western Uganda, it is common to hear people curse others: “Death at the hands of a leopard”. The Makanga of Central Africa also believes that witch doctors are capable of turning themselves into leopards before hurting their enemies.

Interesting facts about Leopards
  • Leopards are the most successful and cunning among big cats.
  • The Clouded Leopard has the longest canines amongst cat species.
  • Pound for pound, leopards are the strongest among big cats.
  • Leopards are territorial animals and regularly mark and defend their domain against intruders.
  • Leopards don’t need much water. They survive from the moisture they get from eating their prey.
  • Man eating leopards always operate at night since unlike tigers they never lose their fear of man and only enter human territories in the cover of darkness – according to famous hunter turned conservationist Jim Corbett. This makes them very difficult to counteract.
Appearance

These animals are masters of stealth and extremely difficult to trace and locate in the wild. They are also light coloured with distinctive dark spots that are called rosettes because they resemble the shape of a rose. However, black leopards, which appear to be almost solid in colour because their spots are hard to distinguish, are commonly called black panthers.

Diet

Leopards are carnivores, however, they aren’t picky eaters. They also prey on any animal that comes across their path. Some of these include; Thomson’s gazelles, cheetah cubs, baboons, rodents, monkeys, snakes, large birds, fish, antelopes, warthogs, etc.

Behavior

The leopard is so strong and comfortable in trees in that it often hauls its kills into the branches. They can also hunt from trees, where their spotted coats allow them to blend with the leaves until they spring with a deadly pounce. These animals are also solitary creatures that only spend time with others when they are mating or raising young. On the other hand, they are nocturnal and spend their nights hunting instead of sleeping. These nocturnal predators also stalk antelope, deer, and pigs by stealthy movements in the tall grass. When human settlements are present, leopards often attack dogs and occasionally people. They are also strong swimmers and very much at home in the water, where they sometimes eat fish or crabs.

Breeding

Female leopards generally have a gestation period of approximately three months. They typically give birth to a litter of two to three cubs in a den at any time of the year. They usually have two grayish, blind and almost hairless cubs with barely visible spots. Each cub weighs just 17 to 21 ounces (500 to 600 grams) at birth. The mother hides her cubs and moves them from one safe location to the next. In fact, this is done until they are old enough to begin playing and learning to hunt. At 12 to 18 months, the cubs are ready to live on their own although they still live with their mothers for about two years. When they reach 2 or 3 years old the cubs will create their own offspring. More so, leopards live 12 to 15 years in the wild and up to 23 years in zoos.

Habitat

They have a preference for wooded or rocky habitats unlike cheetahs and thus can be found in virtually all habitats that offer adequate cover. African leopards generally inhabited a wide range of habitats within Africa. These include; woodlands, grassland savannas, forests, mountain habitats, coastal scrubs, shrub lands and swampy areas. Leopards are generally most active between sunset and sunrise and kill more prey at this time.

Where to find them

They are present in most Uganda parks and forest reserves but can be seen most regularly in every section in Queen Elizabeth National park on the kisenyi plains in the northern part of the park, they can also be sighted in southern part of the park.

The Standard-winged nightjar

/2 Comments/in /by

The Standard-winged nightjar

The Standard-winged nightjar : (caprimulgus longipennis) is a nocturnal bird and of the more impressive members of the Caprimulgid family. This specie breeds in dry savannah habitat of central Africa. However, it is related to other nightjars in terms of breeding strategies, roosting, feeding habits and vocalizations. During the breeding season, the male grows highly specialized wing feathers nearly to a length of 38 cm.

Primarily of bare shaft with feather plumes on the end and the feathers are used as part of a flight display to attract female. During the dry seasons from December through March, they are mostly found along the coast from Liberia to western Cameroon. These birds also migrate in order to breed in the northern hemisphere and they winter in Africa. During the summers, their population ranges extend from Scandinavia and Siberia in the north through the northern hemisphere. In Uganda the pearl of Africa this bird can easily be sighted in Murchison falls National Park.

Standard-winged nightjar facts

Physical description

Individuals basically reach lengths of 26 to 28cm with wingspans of 57 to 64cm. Standard base body color of the species is grey to reddish-brown. They also have a complex cryptic overlaid markings of white, black and varying shades of brown. Furthermore, the body is reminiscent of falcons, with long pointed wings and long tails. Besides, the adult males possess white lower throats, often divided into two distinct patches by a grey or orange vertical stripe. They also have black-barred chests and undulating dark scapular lines. Females appear similar however possess tan tail and wing patches whereas juveniles look very similar to the adult females. However, are normally paler along with less contrast on the scapulars and bellies.     

Behavior

They are not particularly gregarious and live in pairs during the mating seasons and may migrate in groups of 20 or more. Single sex flocks may occur in Africa during the winter season and these individuals are crepuscular. In fact, they forage in the dark, even sometimes on overcast days.  Male nightjars are territorial and will defend their breeding territories vigorously, fighting other males in the air or on the ground. During the daytime, when the nightjars are at rest, they usually perch facing into the sun. This is done inorder to minimize their contrasting shadow. 

Like other nightjars, it feeds on insects in flight, the huge gape opening wide for moths and beetles that usually fly at dusk often at sundown. Towards breeding, no nest is made and the two elongated and elliptical eggs are placed upon the bare ground. Their cryptic appearance blends perfectly into their habitant and during the daytime, they are usually hidden away sleeping. They are easily detected at night when light from car headlights are reflected ruby-red from their eyes, as they are sitting on tracks or roads. In addition, their presence is most often made known by their loud calls that are given out at dusk. 

Mating

The standard winged nightjars are bigamous implying they will take on more than a single mate. They usually breed between May and September. One male and one female form a bond lasting one year and the pair will raise one or two broods. Occasionally pairs may split, and the female may raise another brood fathered by a different male. Actually they don’t construct nests just like other birds but simply place the eggs on the ground on open soil covered with dead leaves. After establishing his breeding territory, he then attracts the attention of females.

Breeding

This is done with an insect-like song as well as a display flight whereby receptive females will join in.  In a small, unlined scrape on the ground, the female lays 2 to 4 eggs reddish creamy/ pinkish or smooth elliptical white eggs marked with brown spots. The female then incubates the eggs for 17 to 18 days however her mate will take short shifts while she leaves to feed at dawn and dusk.  Here Females are primary incubators, even though the male may care for the first young alone. This is also done in a time especially when the female commits to producing a second brood. The hatchlings are covered in down and are capable of short-distance movements within 24 hours of hatching.

They normally move apart shortly after hatching, maybe to make it more difficult for predators to spot them. However, parents also shove them apart with their feet as they flush from the nest. Usually, the male stands, guards and defends the nest and the young. Only if conditions are favorable, the female will sometimes lay a second clutch close to the first clutch. While she is incubating the new set of eggs, she leaves her first brood with her mate when the chicks are about 14 days old. These birds are always mature and ready to breed approximately at the age of one year.

Communication

Standard winged nightjars use a wide variety of sounds to communicate but with a common one being a titititititit. Vociferous males utter out long “churring” vocalizations from perches within their territories, sometimes calling for 10 minutes continuously. However, both males and females produce repeated sharp “qoik-qoik” notes as contact calls. Interestingly, at the nest male and female birds make a grunting “wuff”. When the male approaches the nest, he often produces a burbling trill. They also frequently clap their wings together as well as combining acoustic and visual elements of display. This wing clapping probably serves a number of purposes and is a form of communication generally directed to other individuals.

This species is also notable for feigning injury both in the air and on the ground because of their wing clapping behavior. They open their wings and slap them together behind their backs thus creating a smacking noise. Wing clapping is also used in greeting, intimidation, defense and courtship displays. During courtship, the male bird glides about with his wings in a V-shape, frequently clapping them together. When a female alights on the ground, the male lands facing her and they sway in tandem. When the female ceases swaying, the male bobs up and down, opens his wings and spasms his tail momentarily. Before the beginning of copulation and once a pair has formed, the two individuals roost together.

Feeding

These nightjars are generally crepuscular and nocturnal insectivores. They catch flying insects in their wide mouths with the aid of short bills and surrounding rectal bristles. Some common prey organisms include; moths beetles, mayflies, dragonflies, cockroaches, butterflies and occasionally spiders.