Mammals cited @ Kranshoek

Groototter/African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) Average weight 18kg, length 1500cm:

Distributed among the wetter parts of Southern Africa and its South-eastern Coast. These otters eat fish, shellfish (mostly crustaceans) as well as other large invertebrates, like octopus.  African Clawless Otters are crepuscular (most active at dusk and dawn) and can be found in both freshwater and marine environments. Predators that catch these animals include crocodiles and fish eagles. They are extremely agile swimmers and will use waterways as a means of escape. This species is not threatened.

Streepmuis/Four-Striped Mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio) Average weight 50g, length 10cm:

This species of mouse is distributed throughout Southern Africa and reaches north towards the Congo in Central Africa. Although these mice forage alone, they live in family groups in burrows. These groups generally include one or two males, with up to four females. Four-Stripped Mice have an omnivorous diet which includes insects, roots, seeds and tubers. Ecologically they form a large part of the food-chain for predators such as owls, eagles, jackals and wild cats. This species is not threatened.

Kaapse Grysbok/Cape Grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) Average weight 16kg, height 50cm:

These antelope are stocky and weigh more than their taller cousins (steenbok). Males are fiercely territorial and will fight violently if put together in captivity. Feeding behaviour is determined by the time of day  ̶  grazing on grass in open spaces only at night or very late in the afternoon, retreating into dense thickets during the day. Water is mostly taken from the grysbok’s diet and, accordingly, they very rarely drink water. This animal is on the IUCN red list as a threatened animal.

Bosbok/Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) Average weight 65kg, height 85cm:

Widely distributed bushbuck habitat is determined by the presence of “cover”, rather than the climate. (They can live in arid, semi-arid or wet conditions). Males are substantially larger and have a darker hew than females. Bushbuck are nocturnal feeders that retreat into dense bush during the day. Their diet mostly consists of leaves, twigs and flowers, but they will occasionally eat grass if there are no other options available. Bushbuck are very capable swimmers, therefore a river such as the Goukou will not be a limiting factor in their distribution or movement. These animals are not a threatened species.

 

Oewerkonyn/Riverine rabbit (Bungolagus monticularis) Average weight 1.6kg, length 40cm:

This species of rabbit is extremely habitat specific. It only lives in the dense scrub alongside rivers of the Western Cape and Central Karoo. Their defining marking is a black stripe running from the corner of its mouth over the cheek, much like the chinstrap of a helmet. This is one of the rarest mammals in the world. Females weigh 16% more than the males and coupling usually only produces one offspring. These animals are listed as critically endangered, their main threats being loss of habitat, domestic dogs and vehicle accidents.

Ratel/Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis) Average weight 12kg, length 65cm:

The reputation of the Honey Badger is well earned. There are two documented cases where the animal attacked unusually large prey (a wildebeest and a waterbuck, respectively). The Honey Badger attacked the antelope by biting onto, and hanging by, the prey animals’ scrotum. In both cases the prey died due to the wounds inflicted. Honey Badgers have an immunity to snake venom (believed to be a by-product of smaller invenomations by scorpions and bees). Only the female Honey Badgers are involved in raising the young, which are born hairless and blind. The young are also taught to forage and hunt by their mothers for a year to sixteen months. This species is not threatened.

Rooikat/Caracal (Caracal caracal) Average weight 13.5kg, length 100cm:

Caracals are distributed throughout Africa and Central- and Southeast Asia. Caracals are solitary animals that only pair up for mating and raising kits (baby caracals). These animals are known for bringing down prey that weigh up to three times their own body weight. The powerful back legs of this cat, enables it to leap vertically into the air, up to five times its own length. It uses this ability to snatch monkeys and birds out of trees. Lions, leopards and hyenas are known to prey upon caracals. This animal is threatened and trade in caracal is illegal.

Luiperd/Leopard (Pantera pardus) Average weight 30kg, length 150cm (Cape leopard):

The leopard is one of the smallest of the big cats, but has by far the widest distribution. The leopard inhabits 62 countries from Southern Africa to East Asia. It has been hunted to extinction in a further 13 countries, including China and Israel and some other developed nations. The Cape Leopard is considerably smaller than its northern cousin in the Kruger National Park. It weighs about half of what leopards from the North weigh. Since the extinction of the lion, cheetah, hyena and wild hunting dog from the Western Cape biome, the leopard has become the apex predator in fynbos ecosystems and preys upon large insects (such as crickets) to large ungulates, such as eland. There has only ever been one sighting of a leopard at Kransfontein Estate. This occurred at the height of the Level 5 Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, when there was almost no human activity on the farm or the surrounding areas. The leopard was spotted late at night by the sons of the olive farm manager while they returned from a walk. In South Africa the leopard is not threatened, but as an international species, the IUCN has declared the leopard as “near threatened”.

Ratel/Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis) Average weight 12kg, length 65cm:

The reputation of the Honey Badger is well earned. There are two documented cases where the animal attacked unusually large prey (a wildebeest and a waterbuck, respectively). The Honey Badger attacked the antelope by biting onto, and hanging by, the prey animals’ scrotum. In both cases the prey died due to the wounds inflicted. Honey Badgers have an immunity to snake venom (believed to be a by-product of smaller invenomations by scorpions and bees). Only the female Honey Badgers are involved in raising the young, which are born hairless and blind. The young are also taught to forage and hunt by their mothers for a year to sixteen months. This species is not threatened.

Vlakhaas/Cape Hare (Lepus capensis) Average weight 4.5kg, length 56cm:

The Cape Hare has a very wide distribution range throughout Africa, branching into the Middle East and Asia. They have greatly elongated hind legs that allow for a bounding run, which can exceed 75km per hour. The response to predation is primarily to run, rather than to hide. Males fight for the honour of mating with females by “boxing”, i.e. standing on their hind legs and hitting with their front legs. These animals are not threatened.

Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) Average weight 12kg, height 55cm:

The steenbok is a solitary animal, only forming relationships for the purposes of reproduction. They will occasionally form small herds for safety, typically after large fires have destoyed the cover of dense brush. Steenbok prefer young grass, when available, but will also feed on shrubs, low hanging leaves and roots or bulbs. Ecologically they are an important prey animal for caracal and wild dogs. These animals are not a threatened species.

Kleingrysmuishond/Cape Grey Mongoose (Herpestes pulverulentus) Average weight 700g, length 60cm:

The Cape Grey Mongoose is endemic to South Africa and Namibia. They are opportunistic omnivores and their diet include carrion, birds, mice, amphibians, reptiles, beetles and wild fruit. This mongoose is particularly important to humans, because they keep the snake, rodent and insect populations in check. The Grey Cape Mongoose is a diurnal species (active during the day and inactive at night). This species is not threatened.

Erhardt Joubert M.Sc (Zoology)