Saturday dynamic for Steemkids - Photography/ Only in AFRICA

Kids, today I invite you to come with me on a self-game drive looking for some wild animals.

Our drive is going to take us through the Bothongo Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve. This reserve forms part of the Cradle of Humankind which is situated near Krugersdorp, the town where I am living. Krugersdorp is near Johannesburg in South Africa. The reserve has more or less 600 animals.

Just promise me one thing. That you will not get out of the car as dust free, healthy and happy children are most wanted by these animals.

Our first stop – the African elephant

There are two species of the African elephant in South Africa. The African bush elephant which you will find in the Bushveld which is more inland and the African forest elephant which you will find in the forests near the coastline of South Africa. The bush elephant’s ears are the largest and that’s how we can tell them apart.

Did you know?

• The elephant is the largest mammal on land and live for 60 – 70 years
• Their tusks are made of ivory and is actually teeth
• The skin of the elephant is very thick and leathery
• They have more than 150,000 muscles in their trunks
• A baby elephant is called a calf

Our second stop – The Gemsbok

The gemsbok is well known for its straight up horns which can grow almost 120cm long. They use their horns to defend themselves. You will find the gemsbok in the bushveld and the Kalahari dessert.

Did you know?

• A gemsbok can kill a lion with its horns
• They get the water they need to survive from the food they eat
• Only the adult gemsbok have stripes in their faces
• We say that they are wearing socks as their feet are white at the bottom
• A baby gemsbok is called a calf

Our third stop – The Ostrich

The ostrich is a bird species which you will only find in Africa. It is also the largest and fastest bird in the world. They live best in warm and dry places. Their legs and claw like toes are used to defend themselves. They have very long necks.

Did you know?

• An ostrich only has two toes and three stomachs
• The skin of the ostrich is used for making shoes and handbags
• Ostrich feathers are called plums
• +/- 24 Chicken eggs will make up 1 ostrich egg
• A baby ostrich is called a chick

Our fourth stop – The Blue wildebeest

The Blue wildebeest is a large antelope. It is called a “blue wildebeest” because of the silver-grey colour of the skin. They have long black hair and a beard hanging from their neck and throat. Their horns are sort and curly and they are widespread all over the continent of Africa.

Did you know?

• Blue wildebeest sleep for about 4,5 hours every day
• They defend themselves by travelling and gathering in large herds
• Their muscles are 2,5 times stronger than the engine of a car
• Blue wildebeest can swim therefor they can travel anywhere
• A baby Blue wildebeest is called a calf

Our fifth and last stop is at the hippo pool – The Hippo

Hippo is not their real name. It is actually “Hippopotamus”. You will find hippos mainly in wetlands, wet areas, as they spend a lot of their time in water. You will find most of the hippo population of South Africa in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park where you will find them wandering in the streets of the town St Lucia at night.

Did you know?

• Hippos are the most dangerous animal in Africa
• They can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes
• The mother hippo carries her babies in her mouth to help them across water
• When they sleep they sleep under the water
• A baby hippo is called a calf

And that is where we are going to end our drive day. I hope you have enjoyed the day just as much as I did.

Remember, take care of nature and… DON’T LITTER!

Activity:
Ask daddy or mommy to help you find the places on the map where your think we saw some of the animals.
You can also ask them to download the field guide for you.

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