African's smallest (biggerrin non-thumbnail mode:))

Carnivore the smallest,
In intelligence the tallest
The savannah I hunt
And locusts will stunt
into the Hornbills beaks
Protective service for weeks.

(crappy but informative poem by uhh me:))

comments (11)

Ludo Sak

Lion

Did you know these species are the smallest carnivores in the continent of Africa? They team up with Hornbills: while hunting the grounds they scare locusts, which will run, jump anything to get away. There the hornbill birds await, teaming up with the Mongoose. They feast on the locusts and as a return gift they scout the neighbourhood constantly to signal for any danger ahead.
Now they both profit. And live a long and prosperous life in the African heat. Posted 12 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Excellent shot Ludo, and I did not know about their cooperation with the hornbills, thanks for sharing.
  
  This reminds me of some Mongoose we saw in Madagascar. We were walking on a narrow path in a dense forest and a mongoose simply passed by us in the opposite direction. No hiding, no running, just passing us inches away as if it was saying "oh hai!". Posted 12 years ago
2. 1. Ludo Sak
    
    Lion
    
    Ghehe, the beauty in Madagaskar, I read in Darwin's 'The Discovery of Species' is that there haven't been real predators on the isle, no catlike, no monkeylike species. For millions of years there has been no treat to most living greatures that can run up a tree. Maybe this is an ode to that aspect. That must have been a sight. Posted 12 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Yes, I think that's it. Most mammals in Madagascar don't have a build-in fear of humans. They are cautious, but not afraid. Posted 12 years ago
    2. 1. Ludo Sak
        
        Lion
        
        That's the lack of apes for you:) A beautiful thing really, not being afraid at first thought. I hope that will stay the same for millions of years to come, however unlikely, given the rate of deforestation you told us about. Posted 12 years ago

Ludo Sak

Lion

He's had some damage on its back. Don't know the background of that. No hornbills to protect him I bet. Posted 12 years ago

Ludo Sak

Lion

Thanks for the promotion!
Posted 12 years ago

Frankhuizen Photography

Lion

Hi Ludo, did you make it's hair more light brown here and there (paws, ears, etc) or is this it's natural haircolor? Posted 12 years ago
1. Ludo Sak
  
  Lion
  
  Nope, it is all natural, the light brown spots are the new hairs showing, the darker ones the winter fur dropping off. Posted 12 years ago
2. 1. Frankhuizen Photography
    
    Lion
    
    Thank you for the explanation, never seen it with a 'summercoat', so it must have had his wintercoat on. Posted 12 years ago

stephen whittaker

Lion

Nice shot. Could never get close enough to them to get this sort of shot but saw quite a few when in South Africa. Posted 11 years ago