World Image Magazine Issue 31 April 2016 | Page 30
Springbok grazing near the Goas fountain.
Zebra and Giraffe benefit from the minerals at the pan.
Springbok and Giraffe all enjoy the pan and its
surrounding environment
Springbok are grouped with the Gazelles. Gazelles
are antelope which are slender and of medium size,
they inhabit open savanna and are ruminantsmeaning they chew the “cud”. They have a four
chambered stomach.
The Goas water fountain attracts many species and
justifies spending some hours there observing the
coming and goings of different species.
Young Kudu near the Goas natural fountain. Only
the males carry the spectacular horns which can be a
hindrance in their woodland habitat but are
necessary for fighting the right to mate with
females. Kudu are able to jump to heights of 3
metres from standing; this and their stripes are their
best defence mechanism.
Kudu are mainly browsers and in the Etosha
environment thrive on the leaves of the Mopani tree
which are rich in proteins and minerals. The stripes
on the Kudu helps break up the outline of the body
and tends to make it less visible to predators. Kudu
readily take to eating soil.
Springbok and Giraffe all enjoy the pan and its surrounding
environment
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This is known as “geophagia” and is done by a
number of animals in their search for mineral,
particularly in the dry seasons.
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