Animals of Kruger National Park (Wildlife Explorer Guides)

South Africa's Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most diverse conservation areas in Africa, and a hugely popular visitor attraction. __Animals of Kruger National Park__ is a compact and beautifully illustrated guide, and the essential companion for any safari to the region. With an eye-catching design, authoritative and accessible text and easy-to-use format, this detailed photographic guide provides information on identification, habitat, behaviour, biology and conservation for all the mammals, reptiles and frogs likely to be seen. Introductory sections provide background information on the park and its habitats, when to visit and where to go, and other practical considerations that will help to enhance your understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the animals of this incredible region. * The essential all-in-one Kruger safari companion, ideal for all visitors * Unique and attractive layout, featuring 216 stunning colour photographs, 116 track (spoor) illustrations and two maps * Covers 57 mammals, 17 reptiles and eight frogs * Features the ‘Big 5’—elephants, leopards, lions, rhinoceroses and buffalos—as well as other iconic and charismatic animals * Provides key information on identification, behaviour, biology and conservation Contents The region The aim of this book How to use this book Glossary of terms Kruger’s importance for biodiversity The seasons and timing your visit Considerations for your visit The habitats Characteristic plants Map showing the distribution of habitats in Kruger National Park Map of Kruger National Park and adjacent private concession areas forming the Greater Kruger National Park conservation area How, where and when to watch animals in Kruger National Park The ten best wildlife-watching routes MAMMALS Mammal tracks Lion Panthera leo Leopard Panthera pardus Cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Serval Leptailurus serval Caracal Caracal caracal Wild Cat Felis sylvestris African Civet Civettictis civetta Common Genet Genetta genetta Large-spotted Genet Genetta maculata Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta Aardwolf Proteles cristata Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo Common Dwarf Mongoose Helogale parvula Common Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda Zorilla Ictonyx striatus Honey Badger Mellivora capensis Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas Side-striped Jackal Canis adustus African Wild Dog Lycaon pictus Temminck’s Ground Pangolin Smutsia temminckii Aardvark Orycteropus afer Spotted-necked Otter Hydrictis maculicollis African Clawless Otter Aonyx capensis African Elephant Loxodonta africana White Rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum Black Rhinoceros Diceros bicornis Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious Common Warthog Phacochoerus africanus Plains Zebra Equus quagga Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis African Buffalo Syncerus caffer Common Eland Tragelaphus oryx Greater Kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros Common Duiker Sylvicapra grimmia Sharpe’s Grysbok Raphicerus sharpei Steenbok Raphicerus campestris Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus Southern Reedbuck Redunca arundinum Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus Nyala Tragelaphus angasii Roan Antelope Hippotragus equinus Sable Antelope Hippotragus niger Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus Impala Aepyceros melampus Tsessebe Damaliscus lunatus Common Wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus Scrub Hare Lepus saxatilis Springhare Pedetes capensis Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis Cape Porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis Vervet (Monkey) Chlorocebus pygerythrus Chacma Baboon Papio ursinus Southern Lesser Galago Galago moholi Thick-tailed Greater Galago Otolemur crassicaudatus Smith’s Bush Squirrel Paraxerus cepapi Epauletted fruit-bats Epomophorus spp REPTILES Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus Leopard Tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis Serrated Hinged Terrapin Pelusios sinuatus Water Monitor Varanus niloticus Rock Monitor Varanus albigularis Puff Adder Bitis arietans Mozambique Spitting Cobra Naja mossambica Black Mamba Dendroaspis polylepis Southern African Python Python natalensis Common Flap-necked Chameleon Chamaeleo dilepis Southern Tree Agama Acanthocercus atricollis Rainbow Skink Trachylepis margaritifer Striped Skink Trachylepis striata Variable Skink Trachylepis varia Common Tropical House Gecko Hemidactylus mabouia Common Giant Plated Lizard Matobosaurus validus Rough-scaled Plated Lizard Broadleysaurus major AMPHIBIANS African Bullfrog Pyxicephalus edulis Southern Foam-nest Frog Chiromantis xerampelina Banded Rubber Frog Phrynomantis bifasciatus Snoring Puddle Frog Phrynobatrachus natalensis Bubbling Kassina Kassina senegalensis Plain Grass Frog Ptychadena anchietae Bushveld Rain Frog Breviceps adspersus Painted Reed Frog Hyperolius marmoratus Further reading and online resources South African National Parks (SANParks) main regulations Rhinos on the edge Acknowledgements and photo credits Index