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FIELD PRACTICAL REPORT
ARUSHA NATIONAL PARK (ANAPA) ACADEMIC YEAR 2013/2014
SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
FACULTY OF FORESTRY AND NATURE CONSERVATION.
DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
BARCHELOR OF SCIENCE IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
COURSE NAME: ANIMAL KINGDOM
COURSE ANTE: WLM 101
NAME OF INSTRUCTOR: PROF. SHOMBE N. HASSAN
GROUP NO: 8
STUDENTS’ NAMES
1. SHAO, Epifani Melkiory WLM/D/2013/0038
2. CHAMBA, Isaac Yohana WLM/D/2013/0043
3. KABASI, Boniphace WLM/D/2013/0062
4. BAHATI, Monica WLM/D/2013/0016
5. MWAMBINGU, Deborah WLM/D/2013/0061
6. MICHAEL, Vicent WLM/D/2013/0064
7. MWANGA, Lilian Fredy WLM/D/2013/0021
8. FOYA, Joyceline John WLM/D/2013/0027
9. MWARABU, Ramadhani R. WLM/D/2013/0063
10. MASARE, Sarah J. WLM/D/2013/0039
DATE: 1stDecember, 2014.
INTRODUCTION
Arusha National Park (ANAPA) covers an area of 322 km2. The park lies between Longitudes 36 0 45’ and 360 56’ East and Latitudes 030 12’ and 030 18’ South. Mount Meru which has a peak of
4,566m a.m.s.l. is within the park. The park being Famous for its richness in Game animals that
can be viewed at a very close distance provides an opportunity for Game viewing activity.
The park is very close to Moshi and Arusha Towns. It is an ideal day trip destination even for
Visitors who are attending Seminars, workshops and Business in Arusha and Moshi. Unlike
other National Parks in Tanzania, here visitors can see a variety of wildlife in different habitats
within a short time. Game drive is therefore one of the popular tourism activities in Arusha
National Park. The Park’s highlights can be seen in a day. The two main Game drive circuits are
around Momella Lakes and Ngurdoto Crater.
However there are other several sub-game drives circuits that either join the Main circuits or take
into quite different habitats with different attractions.
Game is plentiful along these particularly scenic routes, but contact with other visitors is
frequent. Sign posts have been strategically designed and located at junctions to assist self-drive
visitors arriving for the first time to locate places and features much more easily.
This field Practical Studies was conducted in Arusha National Park (ANAPA) from 27th July
2014 to 1st August, 2014 by First year Students in Bsc. Wildlife Management of Sokoine
University of Agriculture (SUA) under the supervision of Prof. Shombe N. Hassan from the
Department of Wildlife Management at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the main
objectives of this Field practical studies was to;
i. Expand knowledge on conservation activities among the students.
ii. Have exposure to the field (Wildlife Management Areas (WMA’s)).
iii. Learn how conservation activities have been conducted in these protected areas.
METHODOLOGY.This practical field was done by observing various animals through,
(i) Directly viewing. (Game driving)(ii) Indirectly viewing.
-Directly viewing, this involves observing the animal species directly through naked eyes.-Indirectly viewing, under this method various signs which identify the presence of animals although those animals were not directly observed.
The following are activity and animal species observed during the field practical training.
DAY 1: IDENTIFICATION OF MAMMALS (GAME DRIVE).
Animal 01: Water buck.
Waterbucks are large antelopes. They are more than 1.2 m (more than 4 ft) tall and has a coarse,
shaggy coat that is generally reddish-brown in color. Some varieties have a white elliptical ring
on the buttocks. All adult males have long, ringed horns. The waterbuck roves in small herds
near marshes or rivers, to which it runs for refuge when alarmed. It belongs to the subfamily
Reduncinae in the family Bovidae. It is scientifically classified as Kobus ellipsiprymnus.
Habitat: Open grassland
Distance: 120m
Number of species: 5 members
Animal 02: Warthog.
The warthog belongs to the family Suidae, of the order Artiodactyla. It is classified as
Phacochoerus aethiopicus. It has two pairs of tusks and two pairs of wartlike protuberances on a
long, wide head. Warthogs have stocky bodies with thin legs, and a long, tufted tail. Widespread
on the plains and open woodlands of Africa, their diet includes grass, berries, bark, roots, and
carrion. They are normally diurnal, spending the night in burrows, but in places with heavy
human activity warthogs may become nocturnal.
Habitat: Open grassland and open woodlands.
Distance: 120m
Number of species: 10 members
Animal 03: Giraffe.
It is called camelopardalis by the Greeks who thought it was a cross between a camel and a
leopard. The tallest mammal in the world for its long legs and neck reaching up to 19 ft (5.7 m)
tall.
The largest of all ruminants with males weighing about 1 100 - 1 900 kg, while females weigh
about 700 - 1 180 kg. In colour, females are lighter than males.
The giraffe is a pure browser, browsing on leaves and twigs of a variety of tall trees, especially
Leguminosae.
Habitat: Shrubland.
Distance: 100m
Number of species: 8 members
Animal 04: Zebra.
Zebra are horse-like mammals having one toe adapted for swift locomotion. It is the only
stripped Equidae that is confined to Africa. No two individuals are marked exactly the same, i.e.
each individual has its unique stripes that are quite different from any other individual. Males
and females look the same thus it is not easy to differential them in the field.
However, males weigh 250 – 430 kg, while females weigh 220 – 390 kg depending on the
species.
Zebra are mainly grazers, but occasionally browse on leaves and also dig for grass rhizomes and
corms in the dry season. They are very dependent on water, drinking every day and never wander
far from water holes. The gestation period is 12 or 13 months and only one foal is born during
the rainy season.
Habitat: Open grassland
Distance: 120m
Number of species: 20 members
Animal 05: African Buffalo.
African Buffalo is within the family Bovinae consisting of animals which are sometimes known
as wild cattle. The African buffalo is heavily built with a short neck and a broad naked muzzle.
Horns are heavy, with massive base, and both sexes have horns. The Cape or savanna buffalo (S.
c. caffer) of the African savanna. The Cape buffalo is larger, massive and heavily built; males
weigh about 430 - 870 kg while females weigh up to about 580 kg.
They are primarily grazers feeding on grasses but may browse on leaves, small twigs and young
shoots. Water is essential to them and they must drink every day and thus water limits their
distribution.
They are mostly nocturnal, except in protected areas, and remain hidden in among dense
vegetation.
Habitat: Open grassland
Distance: 70m
Number of species: 35 members
Animal 06: Black and White Colobus Monkey.
The black-and-white colobus Monkeys are classified as Colobus guereza. They are found across
equatorial Africa. There are five species, among which the color varies from all black to a
skunklike black-and-white pattern. Black-and-white colobus monkeys weigh up to 9 kg (up to 20
lb). They live in small social groups of about ten animals, composed of one adult male plus
females and their offspring.
Habitat: Montane forest
Distance: 10m
Number of species: 7 members
Animal 07: Savannah Baboon.
Savannah Baboon is a species of primates that have grasping hands, forward-facing eyes, and
highly developed brains. Most monkeys also have tails, a characteristic that distinguishes them
from their larger primate cousins, the apes.Savannah Baboons are highly skilled climbers, and
most spend much of their lives in trees.
Savannah Baboons are strong and aggressive enough to defend themselves in the open. Armed
with fearsome canine teeth and weighing up to 41 kg (90 lb), male baboons are more than a
match for many predators. A baboon in the wild can live as long as 30 years.
Habitat: Montane forest
Distance: 1-3m
Number of species: 11 members
Animal 08: Blue Monkey.
Blue Monkeys are Monkeys with Dark-blue or Blue-Black Hairs around their body hence the
Name “Blue Monkey” they have physical features that are linked to their tree-climbing lifestyle.
Foremost among these are forward-facing eyes, which enable monkeys to precisely gauge
distances as they move about above the ground. Monkeys' hands and feet are also adapted for
climbing. Their fingers and toes are very flexible, and their palms and soles like those of humans
are usually covered in hairless nonslip skin.
Habitat: Montane forest.
Distance: 4m
Number of species: 4 members
Animal 09: Kirk’s dik-dik.
small antelope the size of a large jackrabbit, found in the dry brush country of equatorial East
Africa. The common name comes from the call this animal utters—a dik-dik or zik-zik sound —
as it dashes away in a series of zigzag leaps when startled. Kirk’s dik-dik and Guenther’s dik-dik
are the most common species. Both range into Tanzania and Kenya, and Kirk’s dik-dik also is
found in Angola and Namibia.
An adult dik-dik is about 52 to 72 cm (about 20 to 28 in) in length with a short tail about 5.5 cm
(about 2 in) long, stands about 30 to 45 cm (about 12 to 18 in) at the shoulders, and weighs about
3 to 7 kg (about 7 to 15 lb). The dik-dik has small horns, sometimes concealed in a tuft of hair on
the head, and a long nose. Coloring varies from yellowish-gray to a reddish-brown, and from
gray to white.
This shy, elusive animal lives with a permanent mate, occupying a territory of 5 to 30 hectares
(12.5 to 75 acres) for several years
Habitat: Rocky areas, Woodland and shrubs.
Distance: 135m
Number of species: 2 members
Animal 10: Leopard.
Its scientific name is Panthera pardus. It belongs to the family Felidae.It is a large spotted cat
with short powerful limbs and thick neck.The black spots are grouped in the form of ‘rosettes.’
Females are similar to males but smaller and more lightly built, thus males weigh 35 – 65 kg
while females weigh about 30 – 60 kg. Leopards are more silent and cunning than lions.
They main hunt at night and hide during the day among cover including thick bush, rocks, caves
or ardvaak burrows.
The gestation period is about 3 months and 1- 4 cubs are born year round but peaks in the rainy
season.
Habitat: The habitat is very varied from dense forest to open country up to high altitudes of some
East African mountains.
Distance: 17m
Number of species: Unknown
Animal 11: African Elephant.
The elephant, though not an ungulate, sometimes is errorneoulsy considered as an ungulate.
It belongs to the family Elephantidae, Its scientific name is Loxodonta africana that is found in
Africa.It is the largest land mammal and the Africa’s true King of Beasts. The savanna elephant
is larger; males weigh 5000 – 6000 kg while female weigh 3000 – 3500 kg.
The forest elephant is smaller; weig 1800 – 3200 kg.
Elephant skin is hairless, gray or brownish and wrinkled with the nose and upper lip elongared to
from the trunk that is flexible and prehensile.
It has 6 sets of cheek teeth (2 upper and 2 lower) of inreasing size that move into place as the
animal outgrows/wears out the previous set. The upper incisors are modified to tusks that grow
continuously. Elephants are mixed feeders, eating grass but also browse all kinds of leaves, fruit,
roots and bark of trees, shrubs, bushes includingreeds.
Habitat: Open grassland
Distance: 0-3m
Number of species: Unknown
Animal 12: Spotted Hyena.
The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) lives in Africa south of the Sahara. It is the largest species
of hyena, growing to a length of 2 m (about 7 ft) long, including its 30 cm (12 in) tail. It weighs
up to 86 kg (189 lb). Its sparse grayish coat is irregularly marked with dark-brown or black
patches. Because of its eerie cry, which sounds like hysterical human laughter, the spotted hyena
is also called the laughing hyena. Hyenas are well adapted to both scavenging and hunting. Their
strong teeth, jaws, and digestive systems make short work of bone, while tissue that they cannot
digest, such as hair, hooves, and ligaments, reappears as regurgitated pellets. The hyena is an
equally intimidating hunter, capable of bringing down a wildebeest many times its own weight
after a chase reaching 60 km/h (37 mph) and covering 5 km (3 mi). The spotted hyena, Crocuta
crocuta, often hides uneaten food at the bottom of a muddy pool, returning later to retrieve it.
Habitat: Shrubland
Distance: 100m
Number of species: Unknown.
Animal 13: Mouse.
Mice belong to the families Muridae, Cricetidae, and Platacanthomyidae of the order Rodentia.
Are members of a family of rodents, with dull-colored, coarse fur; long tails; large ears; and a
pointed snout. Rats have extremely powerful teeth, with which they often gnaw through wooden
planks to get at stores of food, they are usually nocturnal and live in human habitations, in
forests, in deserts, and on seagoing ships. They are extremely prolific, breeding 1 to 13 times a
year and producing 1 to 22 young in a litter. Most species of rats are herbivorous, but some are
omnivorous. Rats have an average lifespan of eight months to one year in the wild and two to
three years in captivity.
Habitat: Shrubs
Distance: 10-50m
Number of species: 9 members
DAY 2: REPTILES IDENTIFICATION.
Animal 01: House snake.
Habitat: House environments
Venom: Non-venomous
Food: Frogs.
Animal 02: Green Mamba.
Green Mambas belong to the family Elapidae. Mamba, common name for four venomous snakes
in the cobra family, found in tropical and southern Africa. Green Mambas are among the swiftest
snakes. All have narrow heads with relatively large eyes. Their venom is potent; a human bitten
by a Green mamba may die unless treated with antivenin.
Habitat: In Trees and Forest
Venom: Neurotoxic
Food: Birds, eggs and chicken
Animal 03: African Rocky Python.
Pythons make up the family Pythonidae. Black python is scientifically known as Morelia
boeleni. Pythons are primitive snakes that, like their close relatives the boas, still show signs of
lizard ancestry. Pythons have traces of a pelvis and two tiny spurlike hind limbs, usually better
developed in the male. They also have two functioning lungs, one large and one small—more
advanced snakes have only a single lung.
Pythons lay eggs—unlike most boas, which give birth to live young. Female pythons produce
from 10 to 100 eggs, depending on the species, and wrap their bodies around their clutch (group
of eggs) to keep it warm and defend it against predators. Pythons can even raise their body
temperature by rhythmically twitching (“shivering”) their muscles to generate heat to help
incubate the eggs.
Habitat: Rocks
Venom: Non-venomous
Food: Rabbits
Animal 04: Puff adder.
Most adders belong to the family Viperidae. The common adder is classified as Vipera berus, the
Orsini viper as Vipera ursinii macrops, and the daboia, or Russell's viper, as Vipera russelli. Puff
adders belong to the genus Bitis. The night adders, of which there are several species, are
classified in the genus Causus. The death adders belong to the family Elapidae; the widest
ranging of the three species is classified as Acanthophis antarcticus. Hognose snakes make up
the genus Heterodon of the family Colubridae.
Habitat: Grassland
Venom: cytotoxic
Food: Rats
Animal 05: Egyptian Cobra.
Asp, common name for a venomous snake of the cobra family. Also called the Egyptian cobra, it
is found throughout northern Africa. The asp was worshiped in ancient Egypt and was used as
the symbol on the crown of the pharaohs. The Egyptian queen Cleopatra is believed to have
killed herself with an asp. Other venomous snakes also known as asps include the European asp,
or asp viper, and the horned sand viper.
The asp belongs to the family Elapidae and is classified as Naja haje. The European asp,
classified as Vipera aspis, and the horned sand viper, classified as Cerastes cornuta, belong to
the family Viperidae.
Habitat: Grassland
Venom: Hemotoxic
Food: Chicken and Eggs
Animal 06: Tree Python
The length green tree python is 2-m (7-ft). Pythons mainly ambush prey, using their forked
tongues to detect odors. The tongue flicks in and out to collect airborne chemicals and passes
over a special smelling organ, called Jacobson’s organ, in the roof of the mouth. Like most
snakes, pythons have relatively poor eyesight and limited hearing. They can sense some sounds
and other vibrations through the ground. A special feature found in both pythons and boas is a
group of heat-sensing organs in small pits along the upper lip that allow such snakes to “see”
warm-blooded animals even in dark conditions.
Pythons kill by constriction, using a powerful muscular body to squeeze a victim to death. It was
once thought that pythons and other constricting snakes primarily killed by suffocating prey,
gradually tightening their grip to prevent an animal from breathing
Habitat: Trees
Venom: Non-venomous
Food: Rabbits
Animal 07: Brown/Mozambique spitting Cobra
Brown/Mozambique spitting Cobra are venomous snakes known for their hooded threat display
and dangerous bites. They once found in Mozambique but also these Cobras are found in other
countries of Africa and Asia, and they have held a special place in human culture from ancient
Egypt to modern India. They can “spit” venom. The name cobra comes from a Portuguese word
for “snake” (short for cobra de capello “snake with a hood”).
Habitat: Grassland
Venom: Hemotoxic
Food: Chicken and Eggs
Animal 08: Gabon Viper.
Are Snakes in a family of venomous snakes, characterized by a pair of long, hollow fangs,
usually with reserve fangs beside them, in the front of the upper jaw.
The fangs fold back against the palate when not in use and quickly swing forward to strike,
injecting a deadly venom that kills prey and also serves as a defense. The viper generally has a
broad, triangular head, and the eyes have vertical pupils. They give birth to living young from
eggs hatched inside the mother's body.
Habitat: Usambara Mountain
Venom: Cytotoxic
Food: Rat, Rabbit, Chicken and Eggs.
NB: They give birth.
Animal 09: Black-necked Cobra.
The famous hood of a cobra is created by elongated ribs that extend the loose skin of the neck
behind the snake’s head. Cobras raise up the front part of their bodies and flatten their necks to
display the hood when they feel threatened or disturbed, often hissing loudly to add a further
warning. The neck ribs can be folded back when the snake moves along the ground.
Habitat: Grassland
Venom: Hemotoxic
Food: Chicken and Eggs
Animal 10: Savannah Monitor Lizard.
Monitor lizards have long necks, powerful tails, and muscular limbs ending in strong claws. Like
snakes, they flick their forked tongues to detect the chemical scents given off by prey. Monitors
spend most of their time on land, although they are capable of swimming and climbing trees.
Monitors make up the genus Varanus and the family Varanidae. The Komodo dragon is
classified as Varanus komodoensis, the water monitor as Varanus salvator, and the Gray’s
monitor as Varanus olivaceus.
Habitat: Fresh water
Venom: Non-venomous
Food: Eggs, Rats and Frogs.
Animal 11: American Rat snake.
The yellow American rat snake, found in parts of North America, has four stripes that run the
length of its body. Rat snakes constrict around their prey.
American Rat snakes are placed in the genus Elaphe of the family Colubridae. The common rat
snake is classified as Elaphe obsoleta.
Habitat: Grassland
Venom: Non-venomous
Food: Rats, Eggs and Chickens.
Animal 12: Boom slang.
The boomslang belongs to the family Colubridae. It is classified as Dispholidus typus, Is a
species of South African snake. Boomslangs live in trees and bushes. They are greenish to brown
or black in color and grow to about 1.5 m (about 5 ft) long. They are oviparous. Most members
of the family to which the boomslang belongs are harmless, but the boomslang has a potent
venom that it delivers through large, deeply grooved fangs that are located at the rear of the
mouth. The bite of the boomslang can be fatal.
Habitat: Trees
Venom: Neurotoxic and Hemotoxic.
Food: Feed on small animals and bird eggs.
Animal 13: Forest Cobra.
Forest Cobras belong to the family Elapidae in the genus
Pseudohaje.The famous hood of a Forest cobra is created by elongated ribs that extend the loose
skin of the neck behind the snake’s head hence swell along to the tail. Forest Cobra raise up the
front part of their bodies and flatten their necks to display the hood when they feel threatened or
disturbed, often hissing loudly to add a further warning. The neck ribs can be folded back when
the snake moves along the ground. Like most snakes, Forest cobras use their forked tongues to
detect smells or taste objects. The flicking tongue picks up molecules in the air or along the
ground. The tongue then passes over a special organ inside the mouth called Jacobson’s organ.
Although Forest cobras are not sensitive to air-borne sounds, they can detect sounds through the
ground. Bones in their jaws carry vibrations to the ear.
Habitat: They live in Forest.
Venom: Hemotoxic.
Food: Chicken and Eggs.
Animal 14: Albino Cobra.
Albino Cobra are White in Color hence the name Albino which referred to Albinism. Albino
cobras use their forked tongues to detect smells or taste objects. The flicking tongue picks up
molecules in the air or along the ground. The tongue then passes over a special organ inside the
mouth called Jacobson’s organ. Although cobras are not sensitive to air-borne sounds, they can
detect sounds through the ground. Bones in their jaws carry vibrations to the ear. Most species
have relatively poor eyesight and hunt at dusk or at night. Male cobras are typically larger than
females. Albino cobras lay eggs hence are Oviparous.
Habitat: Grassland.
Venom: Hemotoxic.
Food: Chicken and Eggs.
NB: Active during Hot season.
Animal 15: Night Adder.
Night adders belong to the family Viperidae , are classified in the genus Causus. Are
characterized by a pair of long, hollow fangs, usually with reserve fangs beside them, in the front
of the upper jaw. The fangs fold back against the palate when not in use and quickly swing
forward to strike, injecting a deadly venom that kills prey and also serves as a defense although
Night adder do not always use them to subdue their prey. The Night adder generally has a broad,
triangular head, and the eyes have vertical pupils.
Habitat: Grassland.
Venom: Cytotoxic.
Food: Rats.
Animal 16: Slender snouted Crocodile.
Are members of the family Crocodylidae, order Crocodylia. Crocodilians are egg-laying, or
oviparous, reptiles, reaching reproductive maturity at about the age of ten. The eggs, 20 to 90 in
number and about the size of goose eggs, are buried in sand, mud, or vegetable debris, where
they are left to hatch by the heat of the sun or of vegetable decomposition. Females remain in the
area to protect the nest and care for the newly hatched young, although many of the eggs and
young are lost to predators. The parental behavior of crocodilians is unique among reptiles and
points to their affinity with birds.
Habitat: Water.
Venom: Non-venomous.
Food: Meat.
Animal 17: Arusha two-horned Chameleon.
Arusha two-horned Chameleon is constituted in the subfamily Chamaeloninae of the family
Chamaelonidae, has a remarkably long, sticky tongue, which darts into the air to catch insects.
Its body is unusually shaped, and most chameleons are specially adapted to living in trees. They
have strong, curled tail is also adapted to grasping. Two-horned chameleons have large domed,
or casqued, heads, and have two horns, sometimes used for combat. They have a short neck that
is of limited mobility; however, the eyes are big and can move independently of each other in
many directions. They have no external eardrum, or tympanic membrane.
Habitat: Trees.
Venom: Non-venomous.
Food: Flies.
Animal 18: Flap-Necked Chameleon.
Flap-necked Chameleon is constituted in the subfamily Chamaeloninae of the family
Chamaelonidae, has a flap on their neck hence Name “Flap-necked”, It has a remarkably long,
sticky tongue, which darts into the air to catch insects. Its body is unusually shaped, and most
chameleons are specially adapted to living in trees. They have strong, curled tail is also adapted
to grasping. Two-horned chameleons have large domed, or casqued, heads, and have two horns,
sometimes used for combat. They have a short neck that is of limited mobility; however, the eyes
are big and can move independently of each other in many directions. They have no external
eardrum, or tympanic membrane.
Habitat: Trees.
Venom: Non-venomous
Food: Insects such as Flies.
Animal 19: African necked-side Turtle.
African necked-side Turtle is a reptile with a bony or leathery shell, African necked-side turtles
are ectotherms—cold-blooded animals whose body temperature is influenced by the outside
environment. For this reason, turtles are most abundant in warm tropical and subtropical
climates.
Habitat: Water.
Venom: Non-venomous.
Food: All kind of Meat.
Animal 20: Tortoise.
Tortoise, common name for members of a family of turtles that live entirely on land. Tortoises
are slow-moving animals known for their long life spans, which in some instances may exceed
150 years. There are 41 species of tortoises.
Tortoises inhabit all of the world’s landmasses except for Australia and Antarctica. The greatest
numbers of tortoises are found in the tropical regions of Africa, South America, and Asia. Most
tortoises live in dry environments, such as deserts and savannas, although some species prefer
moist habitats, such as rain forests and woodlands
Habitat: Dry land.
Venom: Non-venomous
Food: Grasses
DAY 03: INSECTS/INVERTEBRATE IDENTIFICATION.
Insect 01: Tsetse fly.
Tsetse Flies are found abundantly in forests and along the edges of lakes and rivers in central
Africa. The adult flies, which are about 2.5 cm (about 1 in) long, are brown above and brown
with yellow stripes or spots below. They have biting mouthparts, and a large proboscis extends
horizontally from the tip of the head. The heavily veined wings, in contrast to those of other
bloodsucking flies, are held crossed over the abdomen when not in use. The female periodically
produces one full-size larva and buries it in the ground or among decayed leaves; there it
undergoes complete metamorphosis and develops into the adult. They cause a disease known as
Nagana to cattle and sleeping sickness among Human beings.
Habitat: Forest.
Legs: 3 pairs.
Order: Diptera.
Insect 02: Butterfly.
Are insects distinguished by four wings covered with tiny, shingle-like scales with different
attractive colours and by mouthparts that form a hollow, flexible tube like a drinking straw. Most
butterflies use their distinctive mouthparts to feed on the nectar of flowers.
Habitat: Grassland.
Legs: 3 pairs.
Order: Lepidoptera.
Insect 03: Bee.
Bee, common name for a winged, flower-feeding insect with branched body hairs.
Most bees have specialized branched or feathery body hairs that help in the collection of pollen.
Female bees, like many other hymenopterans, have a defensive sting. Some bees produce honey
from flower nectar. Honey bees and stingless bees commonly hoard large quantities of honey, a
characteristic that is exploited by beekeepers, who harvest the honey for human consumption .
Habitat: Forest.
Legs: 3 pairs.
Order: Hymenoptera.
DAY 03: BIRDS IDENTIFICATION.
Bird 01: Great Egret.
Egrets belong to the family Ardeidae of the order Ciconiiformes. The great egret is classified as
Casmerodius albus. It is about 100 cm (about 40 in) long, is the only species native to both
America and Eurasia; it nests from southern Canada south throughout Central and South
America and the West Indies, and widely in Eurasia from central Europe and Japan south to
Africa and New Zealand.
Habitat: Saline lake.
Number of species: 27 Birds.
Bird 02: Little Egret.
Little Egret also belongs to the family Ardeidae of the order Ciconiiformes. It is small in size
compared to that 100 cm (about 40 in) of Great egret, is the native species to both America and
Eurasia; it nests from southern Canada south throughout Central and South America and the
West Indies, and widely in Eurasia from central Europe and Japan south to Africa and New
Zealand.
Habitat: Saline lake.
Number of species: 17 Birds.
Bird 03: Cattle Egret.
Egrets belong to the family Ardeidae of the order Ciconiiformes, African subspecies of the cattle
egret is Bubulcus ibis. The African subspecies of the cattle egret is now established throughout
the Americas. It apparently crossed the Atlantic to the Guiana region of South America in the
late 1870s, and had reached Florida by 1942. It eventually occupied almost all of the United
States (most commonly on the coasts) and the West Indies, south through Central and South
America to Argentina. It is a small egret, 50 cm (20 in) long, white, with buff plumes on head,
back, and breast worn during the breeding season. It feeds mainly on insects disturbed by
moving cattle.
Habitat: Open grassland with Cattle.
Number of species: 23 Birds.
Bird 04: Grey Crowned Crane.
Although their plumage is the most ornate in the family, anatomical and fossil evidence shows
that the two crowned-cranes of Africa are the most primitive of living cranes. In these birds the
top of the head is covered with black plush feathers, and a fan-shaped crest of strawlike feathers
grows from the back of the head. There is a red and white area of bare skin on the cheeks, and a
pair of red skin wattles under the chin. The body plumage is dark gray in one species, pale gray
in the other.
Habitat: Saline Lake.
Number of species: 2 Birds.
Bird 05: Hammerkop.
Hammerkop is a large brown wading bird with a prominent crest on the back of its head. It is a
Native to tropical African wetlands, ponds, and lakes. It is scientifically known as Scopus
umbretta
Habitat: Saline lake.
Number of species: 5 Birds.
Bird 06: Guinea Fowl.
The helmeted guinea fowl is the most widely distributed species, and has several subspecies
distinguished by the size, shape, and color of the wattles at the corner of the mouth, and by the
size and shape of the bony “helmet” on the crown. Are mostly black, dotted with white colour on
their Feathers. Guinea fowl belong to the family Phasianidae of the order Galliformes. They are
sometimes placed in their own family, Numididae. The species of Helmeted guinea fowl is
classified as Numida meleagris.
Habitat: Shrub land.
Number of species: Unknown.
Bird 07: Flamingo.
Flamingo is a family of birds having exceptionally long legs and long, highly flexible necks.
Their relationship to other birds is uncertain; some evidence allies them with the herons and
ibises, some with the ducks and geese; and there is fossil evidence suggesting a relationship to
shorebirds. Their bills bend abruptly downward about midway; the upper mandible is narrow,
and fits into the lower like the lid of a box. When they feed, flamingos dip the head under water
and scoop backward with the head upside down. The edges of the bill have tiny narrow
transverse plates called lamellae. Flamingos make up the family Phoenicopteridae of the order
Ciconiiformes. They are sometimes placed in their own order, Phoenicopteriformes.
Habitat: Saline lake.
Number of species: Unknown.
Bird 08: Little Grebe.
Little Grebe is a small diving water bird, the smallest of the European grebes. It is scientifically
known as Tachybaptus ruficollis. This black-and-white bird has red eyes, a long, spearlike
yellow beak and a slender, swanlike neck. The top of the grebe’s head, the back of its neck, and
its shoulders, back, and wings are slate black. The belly, throat, and bottom part of its face are
white. Each wing has a single white patch. The sexes are similar in appearance and there is little
change in plumage between the seasons. They eat fish, frogs, aquatic insects, crustaceans such as
crayfish, worms, and mollusks.
Habitat: Saline lake.
Number of species: 63 Birds.
Bird 09: Red-eyed Dove.
Red-eyed Doves make up the family Columbidae of the order Columbiformes they have small
heads, short necks, stout bodies with short legs, and sleek plumage and have a fleshy or waxy
protuberance, the cere, at the base of the bill. They dwell in trees or on the ground and feed on
seeds, fruit, acorns and other nuts, and insects. Red-eyed Doves fly rapidly and are noted for
their cooing call. They build loose, almost flat, nests of twigs, bark, straw, and weeds; the female
lays one or two tan or white eggs.
Habitat: Saline lake.
Number of species: 47 Birds.
Bird 10: Sacred Ibis.
Sacred Ibis belong to the family Threskiornithidae of the order Ciconiiformes. The sacred ibis is
classified as Threskiornis aethiopicus. They are long-legged, long-necked wading birds of the
same family as the spoonbills. Ibises are characterized by long, down-curving bills grooved
above from base to tip. The birds average 61 cm (2 ft) in length and have short tails. They live in
large flocks and feed on fish, frogs, toads, and small reptiles.
Habitat: Saline lakes.
Number of species: 3 Birds.
Bird 11: Swift.
They have a short bill; a wide, gaping mouth for feeding on insects on the wing; small, weak
feet; and long, crescent-shaped wings. Swifts nest along vertical surfaces, building their nests of
various materials glued together with a cementlike substance secreted from their salivary glands.
Some species of the Oriental swiftlet make their nests entirely of this secretion, which is the
principal ingredient of so-called birds' nest soup, usually attaining a length of 14 cm (5.5 in).
Swifts belong to the family Apodidae in the order Apodiformes. The chimney swift is classified
as Chaetura pelagica.
Habitat: Pits.
Number of species: 4 Birds.
Bird 12: Egyptian Goose.
Egyptian Goose, a swimming bird with webbed feet and a long neck. Geese belong to the same
family of waterfowl as ducks and swans. Geese are larger and have longer feet and necks than
ducks. Geese are smaller and have shorter necks and legs than swans. Ducks are generally more
colorful than geese, which tend to be brownish in color. Male and female geese look alike,
although in some species the male is larger than the female. A male goose is called a gander, a
female is called a goose, and a baby goose is called a gosling.
Habitat: Saline lake.
Number of species: 9 Birds.
Bird 13: Spur-winged Goose.
Spur-winged Goose is a swimming bird with webbed feet, a long neck and have wings with a
spur. Geese belong to the same family of waterfowl as ducks and swans. They are larger and
have longer feet and necks than ducks but are smaller and have shorter necks and legs than
swans. Male and female Spur-winged Geese look alike, although in some species the male is
larger than the female. A male goose is called a gander, a female is called a goose, and a baby
goose is called a gosling.
Habitat: Saline lakes and seas.
Number of species: 47 Birds.
CONCLUSION
Biodiversity, or biological diversity, denotes the number and variety of different organisms and
ecosystems in a certain area. Preserving biodiversity is essential for ecosystems to respond
flexibly to damage or change. Unregulated hunting has at various times threatened the existence
of some game animals, Game animals are hunted throughout the world, African safari-hunting
offers opportunity to bag a diversity of game such as Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, antelopes,
duck and other wild fowl a situation that led to the extinction of some of these species which
most of them are of international importance in which they provide enough ground for Tourism
activities as well as suitable environments for Biological field practicals.
RECOMMENDATION.
One of the approaches that conservation biologists study and implement is the development of
habitat reserves and wildlife corridors. All species require a minimum amount of habitat for
survival. Wildlife habitat reserves are established to meet these requirements for as many species
as possible. Some national parks, wilderness areas, and other protected habitats are suitable for
the survival of a wide range of species. Unfortunately, the minimum area required by large
carnivores may be larger than the area protected in a reserve. In order to effectively enlarge the
area available to the species, protected wildlife corridors that interlace or connect separate
reserves may be developed. These areas are narrower than the actual reserve but ideally allow for
unimpeded travel between reserves. Conservation biologists should recommend that both
reserves and corridors be surrounded by a wide belt, or buffer zone, of similar landscape to
maintain the effectiveness of the reserve. Conservation biologists also should study and promote
habitat restoration and extensive public education, formulating of strictly wildlife management
laws and work with ecologists and taxonomists (scientists who study the scientific classification
of organisms) to identify and describe the millions of imperiled species not yet known to science.
This will lead to the conservation of natural habitats that have not been damaged as well as
restoring those ones which have been subjected to the degradation/damage or are degrading, By
doing wilderness conservation we will conserve Nature hence make the world a better place for
living to both Animals and Plants.