Fauna & Flora

Users visiting Sibon recently will have noticed the large social spider nest/web in the marula tree above the gazebo area. In South Africa the social spider Stegodyphus mimosarum occurs in the eastern parts. 

With the change of season, you may have noticed that the very scary looking solifugids have started making frequent appearances on your walls and floors, or in your shadow.

Known as the tallest terrestrial mammal, and standing at more than 5m tall, the giraffe (Giraffa giraffa giraffa) is one of the most popular animals to see in the bush.

Because of our chick this month, we’ve chosen the Southern Ground-Hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) as our species of the month!

Chris and Auriel Thorpe in Bungalow # 197 found this Southern Stiletto Snake (Atractaspis bibronii), pictured below, along Heliotrope Loop on Sibon.

Spekboom, (Portulacaria Afra) also known as pork bush or elephant’s food, is our own indigenous wonder plant.

An outstanding feature in the Ingwelala landscape during March was the Golden Orb spider. There were hundreds of them everywhere, spinning and guarding their webs, and going about their spider business.

Plants currently flowering at Ingwelala:

The Springhare derived its name directly from the Dutch/Afrikaans name Springhaas which describes its mobility, almost kangaroo like. 

The Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) is a small antelope that is often seen on Ingwelala. I was recently asked by a Member why currently it seems that the Steenbok numbers are more prolific than usual.

The focus in this month’s report is another mammal that rarely makes it to the reception sightings book!

Sunbirds belong to the family Nectariniidae. South Africa has 21 species of sunbirds. Male sunbirds are bright in colour, whereas females are mostly dull brown.

Stuart Woodhead from Bungalow # 153 took the stunning and interesting picture below of terrapins swamping a hippo resting up in the pan as Buffelsbed Hide.

One of my favourite reports so far to write. To confine a story and passion to two pages is difficult to do when one is so passionate about a certain species. But here we go:

When I decided on the topic of grasses it was very difficult to decide on a subject heading regarding the topic as grasses is such a diverse, scientifically based, factual, boring, and comprehensive subject.

If you come to a wilderness area such as the Umbabat Private Nature Reserve, you immediately notice the myriads of different land animal forms of all different shapes and sizes.

Falling in the Class Reptilia, tortoises are from the Order Chelonia and are parallel to other Orders Crocodilia and Squamata, these being crocodiles and snakes and lizards respectively.

Most mornings in camp, at precious dawn, if you listen very carefully and are able to shut out the rhythmic sound of your partner’s sleepy breathing, you can hear the distinct call of Verreaux's Eagle-Owl.

The troop of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus pygerythrus) that frequents the Reception car park are a growing concern from the point of view of behavioural changes.

A very interesting meal was witnessed first-hand by Rob and Sylvia Vollet in Bungalow # 148. This ingestion took place in their Mbombela garden, amongst the busy branches that overhang the bird bath.