Big 5 2007
Africa’s big five animals – the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino – are featured on a newly designed set of self adhesive stamps, issued on 17 August 2007. The stamps features paintings by Pawel Kot who is originally from Poland but is now a South African citizen. He is a versatile artist who works in oils and he loves painting portraits, wildlife, African landscapes, plants, buildings and modes of transport. Lion – (Panthera Leo), photograph by Michael Viljoen: The Lion is the largest African carnivore and is found in open plains where there is water, plenty of grazing and in semi-desert conditions such as the Kalahari Desert. Lions can see at night like humans see during the day due to their retina which is lined by a tissue called “Tapetum Lucidum” that reflects back light passing the rod of the retina. They are the most sociable of the cat family and live in groups consisting of one or two males and up to seven females. The female lion does all the hunting usually at night, late afternoon or early morning. They prey on wildebeest, zebra, waterbuck, kudu, giraffe and buffalo. Breeding occurs all year round, with two to six cubs being born after gestation period of about 110 days. Leopard – (Panthera Pardus), photograph by Michael Viljoen: The leopard is the most secretive and elusive of the carnivores. They are found in the bushes and riverine forests and also near the thickets on mountain sides or along streams and rivers. Leopards are nocturnal but are also seen during the day. They are good in climbing trees and can pull large prey up a tree to protect it from other predators. They are solitary and tend to avoid one another except during mating season. They feed on small animals and medium sized antelopes. They breed throughout the year and have a gestation period of three months Elephants – (Loxodonta Africana), Photograph by Michael Viljoen: The African elephant is the largest living mammal on earth. Their trunk serves as a nose, hand, extra foot, signaling device and a tool for gathering food. They are found in dense forest to open plains. Their habitat requirements are clean drinking water and plenty of food. Elephant are normally found in small family groups consisting of an older matriarch and three or four offspring along with their young. They are distinguished by their intelligence, interesting behavior, methods of communication and complex social structure. They seem to be fascinated with tusks and bones of dead elephant, fondling and examining them. Rhinoceros – (Diceros Bicornis) photograph Koos van der Lende: There are tow types of rhinos, the black and the white rhino. The rhino depicted on the stamp is the black rhino. Rhinos are found in grasslands and open savannahs. The black rhino has a triangular shaped upper lip ending in a mobile grasping point. They feed on a large variety of vegetation including leaves, buds and shoots of plants bushes and trees. Rhinos tend to be ill tempered when they are disturbed. They have poor eyesight with a good sense of smell and hearing. In the wild, the adult black or white rhino has no true natural predators and despite their size and antagonistic reputation, can easily be killed by man. Buffalo – (Syncerus Caffer), photograph Koos van der Lende: Buffalos are large ox-like animals standing approximately 65 inches at the shoulder. They are found in dense forest to open plains where there is enough grass, shade and water. They frequently remain in the vicinity of water because they drink regularly. Buffalos are herbivorous grazers and are found in groups with the dominant bull normally the oldest in the herd. Both sexes have horns but those of males are more robust and heavier. They are unpredictable animals that can be dangerous when wounded or cornered. Sources: http://www.sa-venues.com/wildlife/wildlife |