| Posted: Sat May 28th, 2005 04:41 AM |
|
1st Post |
Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | Fri Feb 11th, 2005 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 6800 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 300 Winchester Magnum ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
What do you fellas consider to be the most dangerous species to hunt?I would think elephant just from sheer size but that is just a guess.I hear about the short tempered Cape buff`s.Just curious what you fellas consider to be the most dangerous?
Gene
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
|
| Posted: Sat May 28th, 2005 07:03 AM |
|
2nd Post |
Mickey Rat
Handloading Master
| Joined: | Fri Mar 18th, 2005 |
| Location: | Dothan, Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 320 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Wives that see you sneeking in a new gun.
____________________
Mickey Rat
NRA Life Member
|
| Posted: Sat May 28th, 2005 01:55 PM |
|
3rd Post |
Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | Fri Feb 11th, 2005 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 6800 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 300 Winchester Magnum ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Mickey Rat wrote: Wives that see you sneeking in a new gun.  Thats no joke....
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
|
| Posted: Sat May 28th, 2005 06:01 PM |
|
4th Post |
| Posted: Sat May 28th, 2005 09:44 PM |
|
5th Post |
bea175
Board Founder
| Joined: | Sun Feb 13th, 2005 |
| Location: | Kingsport & Graysontown, VA, Tennessee USA |
| Posts: | 2197 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 270 Win ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
I have never hunted Africa but will someday if the good lord is willing, but would think the Female Elephant pretecting her baby would be the most dangerous , just because of her weight and size. 
____________________
 
|
| Posted: Sun May 29th, 2005 12:14 AM |
|
6th Post |
PhilLozano
Board Founder
| Joined: | Mon May 23rd, 2005 |
| Location: | Arusha, Tanzania |
| Posts: | 366 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | big bore dangerous game | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Yes Sir,
Elephants in general are dangerous, and as you can see, rank # 1 with me.
Female Elephants with a calf are very dangerous as are tuskless Cows.
You don't want to fool around with either of them, or you could come out second best.
Best,
Phil
____________________
Best,
Phil
Stay out of sight and downwind
Professional Hunter / Tanzania
http://www.go-on-safari.com
http://www.go-on-safari.com/talk
|
| Posted: Sun May 29th, 2005 12:57 AM |
|
7th Post |
Blkpwdernut
Board Founder
| Joined: | Mon Feb 7th, 2005 |
| Location: | Wichita, Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 398 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | .45 colt |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
So would this do the job?
|
| Posted: Sun May 29th, 2005 05:01 AM |
|
8th Post |
PhilLozano
Board Founder
| Joined: | Mon May 23rd, 2005 |
| Location: | Arusha, Tanzania |
| Posts: | 366 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | big bore dangerous game | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Blkpwdernut,
Can't tell from a photo. What is the velocity and the weight of the bullet ?
Best,
Phil
____________________
Best,
Phil
Stay out of sight and downwind
Professional Hunter / Tanzania
http://www.go-on-safari.com
http://www.go-on-safari.com/talk
|
| Posted: Sun May 29th, 2005 12:48 PM |
|
9th Post |
Blkpwdernut
Board Founder
| Joined: | Mon Feb 7th, 2005 |
| Location: | Wichita, Kansas USA |
| Posts: | 398 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | .45 colt |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
550 grns at about 1300 fps for the .72, and it is a double rifle so you would have a follow up shot with a mere second trigger pull.
The only questions in my mind is what are your winds like? you need a slight breeze so that the massive cloud of smoke goes away relatively quickly, but too much of a wind really blows a roundball WAY off point of aim. And what is the availability of black powder over there? Percussion caps?I dont think that any airline would allow me to carry a low grade explosive on-board an airplane andd in fact I would probably have to buy a new powder horn for the trip so that it wouldnt have any residue left in it from shooting here at home and leave it with you when I left.
I have always dreamed of hunting Caped Buff over there since I read two of Mr.Capsticks books.
I dont do the black powder substitutes since the Green Mountain barrel company found that Pyrodex is actually more corrosive than true black powder and will not warranty a barrel if you tell them that you have used it
Oh well probably a pipe dream for this poor boy but hey its never a bad thing to dream!
Last edited on Sun May 29th, 2005 01:10 PM by Blkpwdernut
|
| Posted: Sun May 29th, 2005 05:43 PM |
|
10th Post |
PhilLozano
Board Founder
| Joined: | Mon May 23rd, 2005 |
| Location: | Arusha, Tanzania |
| Posts: | 366 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | big bore dangerous game | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Blkpwdernut,
Would it kill a Buffalo. Yes, it would. Would I like to be the one to try it out ? No, I wouldn't.
Standard energy for a Buffalo rifle (IMO) is about 4,000+ ft. lbs. of energy.
Standard stopping medicine is 5,000 ft. lbs. A 500 grain bullet at 2150 fps., is about 5,000 ft. lbs.
I have 2 stopping rifles, one a 458 Lott, which pushes a 500 grn. bullet at 2230 fps.(can be driven to 2400) and a 450 3 1/4 (450 NE) which shoots a 480 grn. bullet at 2180 fps (all my loads).
I don't know what the formula is to calculate the energy of your loads, but at a glance, I would say you are not into the 4,000 range and far from the 5,000 range. I could be wrong, but that is my guess.
To take on a Buff and expect a quick kill, I would say you need a bit more than the load you asked about.
The old Black powder Elephant guns, shot at about the same velocity you are getting, but shot a 1/4 oz. (about 1,750 grn.) lead ball (4 Bore), which is at least 3 X the bullet weight you are shooting.
Could you kill a Buffalo with it ? Yes, but it would not be my first choice.
Best,
Phil
____________________
Best,
Phil
Stay out of sight and downwind
Professional Hunter / Tanzania
http://www.go-on-safari.com
http://www.go-on-safari.com/talk
|
| Posted: Sun May 29th, 2005 11:02 PM |
|
11th Post |
Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | Fri Feb 11th, 2005 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 6800 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 300 Winchester Magnum ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Fellas, energy is easily calculated.Simply multiply the velocity by itself,then by the weight of the bullet,and divide by 450240 intoo the result.
example
1300x1300=1690000 x550=929500000 divided by 450240 should give you 2064.454 foot pounds of energy at the muzzle.
 Screwed up on my calculator the first time and was about 20 foot pounds off on energy
Not slouchy by any means.A close range impact from that big slug would be rather devastating..
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
|
| Posted: Mon May 30th, 2005 01:42 AM |
|
12th Post |
PhilLozano
Board Founder
| Joined: | Mon May 23rd, 2005 |
| Location: | Arusha, Tanzania |
| Posts: | 366 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | big bore dangerous game | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Yes. However, as I said, adequate energy is considered 4,000 ft. lbs. The one you calculated is about 1/2 that.
Something to think about.
Best,
Phil
____________________
Best,
Phil
Stay out of sight and downwind
Professional Hunter / Tanzania
http://www.go-on-safari.com
http://www.go-on-safari.com/talk
|
| Posted: Mon May 30th, 2005 02:22 AM |
|
13th Post |
Timberghozt
Board Founder
| Joined: | Fri Feb 11th, 2005 |
| Location: | Texas USA |
| Posts: | 6800 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | 300 Winchester Magnum ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Phil,yes sir it is.For most big game in America it would be extremely awesome....but as you well know.In your part of the world many species will kill you in the blink of an eye and they are more than capable of ending your hunting days "permanently".If it was me,I`d be toting a 458 WM or another DG cartridge.There are no second chances in a DG charge and I want as much horsepower as I can stand to shoot and still be accurate..
____________________
"He who fights with monsters might take care, lest he thereby become a monster; For if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - F.Nietzche
|
| Posted: Mon May 30th, 2005 04:32 AM |
|
14th Post |
PhilLozano
Board Founder
| Joined: | Mon May 23rd, 2005 |
| Location: | Arusha, Tanzania |
| Posts: | 366 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | big bore dangerous game | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
TG,
Not a bad plan. As much as you can handle and place your shots properly. That is sound advise.
Best,
Phil
____________________
Best,
Phil
Stay out of sight and downwind
Professional Hunter / Tanzania
http://www.go-on-safari.com
http://www.go-on-safari.com/talk
|
Big John
Handloading Master
| Joined: | Mon May 23rd, 2005 |
| Location: | New York USA |
| Posts: | 201 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
A long long time ago in a land far far away............... Ok I know you have heard that some where before. I was in Alaska making sure the russians didn't come over for a visit, in the time I was there I had to shoot 2 Polar bears and let me tell you they are my one choice and PHIL the reason is the one you mentioned !
Every now and then one would show up near the school playground and try to snatch a kid and we would get a call to help as we were about the closest thing to police they had. Back then I was given a weapon to test and see how it would serve for military uses in cold climates and I kept this weapon for the entire length of my stay.
On one call there was a bear that looked to be at the time the size of a Tank and I took my first shot @ 100yds which was all I had for saftey reasons and it went thru the right side just behind the shoulder and the Bear turned and came for me which was good and bad, good for the kids bad for me. She was running toward me I put the cross hairs on its head and shot killing it instantly. I was 130 yds away when she dropped. The first shot put a hole the size of my fist coming out the left side, I could not believe the Bear could have withstood such a blow and keep coming.
The second Bear was no story I learned from my first misstake head shot behind the ear !
____________________
http://www.northeasternoutdoors.com/firearms.htm
|
PhilLozano
Board Founder
| Joined: | Mon May 23rd, 2005 |
| Location: | Arusha, Tanzania |
| Posts: | 366 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | big bore dangerous game | | My favorite chambering is:: | |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
bea175,
I like the 416 Remmy very much. It is not a true stopper in the classic terms, but will work just fine in that role.
I have stopped a few Buffalo with one, and it is plenty for Lion to end the deal. Elephant, well, it would work well as long as you do your part (as with all of them). So I guess I am saying "Yes, it is a stopper".
You may get some questions from some big bore fans, but in the end, the 416 Remmy is enough and will get'er done.
More than a few long time P.H.'s use a 416 (Rigby mostly, but the Remmy is exactly the same)and some of them used have used it for 20 to 30 years of hunting.
Penetration is enough, just load it with good tough bullets, and go hunting. It is a very nice cartridge.
Best,
Phil
____________________
Best,
Phil
Stay out of sight and downwind
Professional Hunter / Tanzania
http://www.go-on-safari.com
http://www.go-on-safari.com/talk
|
Texasdoc
Banned
| Joined: | Tue Apr 5th, 2005 |
| Location: | LaGrange, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1415 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | No | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I shoot factory ammo | | My favorite chambering is:: | the rifle I paid for with all the money I ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
Ok here is a little Back ground on Phil's list I have also added the Nile Crocodile to it also Hope you enjoy learning about theis animals.
Doc
Hippopotamus: Hippopotamus amphibius
Characteristics
Weight and Height
males: wt 3529-7040 lb (1600-3200 kg), ht 56-66 in (140-164 cm)
females: wt 1440-5157 lb (655-2344 kg), ht 52-58 in (130-145 cm)
Color
brownish-gray to gray-purple with pink underparts.
Coat
No hair only short bristles on back, head, and tail
Where to find it
Up until several years ago, hippopotamus could be found in most places south of the Sahara where food and water were abundant. Hippopotamus are now confined to National Parks and Reserves, but still inhabit many major swamps and rivers. Hippopotamus can be found in almost any national park or reserve with large lakes and rivers bordering expansive grasslands.
Habitat
Hippos must find places to live with deep lakes and rivers that are within walking distance of grasslands. Since hippos eat about 130 lb (59 kg) of food each day, they must find pastures that can support up to 81 hippos per sq. mile (31/sq. km). Hippos must be submerged in water, especially on very hot days, in order to cool themselves since hippos have very thin, naked skin. Due to their thin skin, hippos can easily become dehydrated or overheated.
Activity
Hippos are typically considered nocturnal, but are in some cases also diurnal. Most hippos walk about 2 to 3 miles (3-5 km) and sometimes a many as 6 miles (10 km) while in search of food. Their diet consists of fruit, vegetables, leaves and grass. On average, hippos will spend 5 hours foraging after dark and will then return to the water before dawn so that they can spend the day sleeping and socializing.
Social Systems
All hippos, except for mothers and young offspring, are largely independent and roam the African waters and grasslands alone. While hippos are quite social animals, they do not rely on each other for protection since adult hippos do not have any predators.
The water portion of the homeland is split into separate mating territories which are protected by mature bulls over the age of 20. These territories are generally 50-to 100-yd sections of rivers or 250- to 500-yd sections of lakes.
Occasionally hippos will form small herds which generally contain 5 to 30 hippos, but can be as small as 2 or as large as 50. In extreme situations, there have been 200 or more hippos seen in one area, but this is very rare.
Reproduction
Mating typically occurs during the dry season while the hippos spend the majority of their time in the water. The gestation period is 8 months so most calves are born during the rainy season. Females first conceive around age 9 and then continue to calve every 2 years from that point on. Males mature by the age of 7, but may not mate until age 12.
Predators
Calves are vulnerable to lions, hyenas, and crocodiles.
Elephant: Loxodonta africana
Subspecies:
- Savanna elephant: L. a. africana (Vulnerable to endangerment)
- Forest elephant: L. a. cyclotis (Vulnerable to endangerment)
Characteristics
Weight and Height
males: wt 11,000-13,2000 lb (5000-6000 kg), ht 9' 10" - 11' (3-3.3 m)
females: wt 6600-7700 lb (3000-3500 kg), ht 8' 4" (2.5 m)
Skin
naked with scattered bristles and sensory hairs; gray or brown
General Locations
Elephants could be found in almost any region south of the Sahara as long as the land had plenty of water and trees. The numbers have drastically declined over the last two decades as the demand for ivory increased. In 1981, it is believed that there were 1.3 million elephants living in Africa, but in 1986 only 750,000 remained. In Eastern Africa, up to 80% of the elephant population had been lost.
Elephants can be seen in the following National Parks and Reserves: Amboseli NP, Masai Mara GR, Kenya; Tarangire and Ruaha NP, Tanzania; Zambia; Mana Pools and Hwange NP, Zimbabwe; Chobe NP, Moremi GR, Botswana; Kruger NP, South Africa; Etosha NP, Namibia.
Habitat
The elephant is considered the most versatile herbivore. Large elephants can feed from the ground up to 20 feet which means that elephants can take advantage of numerous food resources.
Elephants are unique because they must eat around 330 lb of food each day (150 kg/day) to compensate for the fact that they have a very small amount of storage space for nutrients. During the rainy season, elephants feed on grasses and herbs, however during the dry season, more time is spent browsing the foliage.
Activity
Elephants are considered both diurnal and nocturnal animals. Elephants generally spend 16 hours each day feeding and only 4 or 5 sleeping. On average, an elephant will travel up to 50 mi (80 km) in several days while in search of water. Bulls will drink up to 60 gal (227 l) of water a day when it is available. When water is not available, elephants will flap their ears in order to cool down the blood flowing throughout the body.
Social Systems
Elephant society is made up of matriarchal clans which consist of a mother and her offspring, and daughters with her offspring. Males live alone or in bachelor herds. Elephants are nonterritorial so mating depends on size.
- Cow Herds: There are typically 9 to 11 elephants in a herd. Larger herds will generally split in two, but will stay within the same home range. These larger groups are made up of 2 or 3 family units and will have as many as 28 related elephants. Home ranges have been as small as 5.4 sq. mi (14 sq. km) and as large as 1350 sq. mi (3500 sq. km).
In normal circumstances, when a matriarch becomes to old to continue leading the herd, generally 50 to 60 years old, the cow is abandoned by the rest of the herd and a new matriarch is selected. Bull Elephants: Males typically herd in groups of 2 to 15, and occasionally more than 35. A male will leave his cow herd by the age of 12 to join a bachelor herd.
Reproduction
Mating and birth peaks occur annually during the rainy season. The gestation period is 22 months and females calve at 4-to 9-year intervals.
Predators
Lion, spotted hyena, and man are all predators of baby elephants.
Black Rhinoceros: Diceros bicornis (Endangered)
Characteristics
Weight and Height
males: wt 2191-3000 lb (996-1364 kg), ht 56-64 in (140-160 cm)
females: wt 1991-2800 lb (896-1260 kg). ht 54-62 in (135-155 cm)
Horns
Two horns which vary in size and shape based on many factors such as: sex, age, and location; front horn typically thinner than rear and usually longer; front horn: 20 to 32 in (50-80 cm); rear horn: 14 to 16 in (35-40 cm).
Color
Dark gray
General Locations
Originally spread throughout the Northern and Southern Savanna, Sahel, Somali-Masai, and South West Arid Zones. A steady decline in population has occurred due to the sudden demand for rhino horn. The black rhino is endangered in almost all areas of Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia; where they were once very abundant. Black rhinos can be found in the following National Parks and Reserves: Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania; Nairobi NP, Solio Ranch GR, Kenya; Gonarazhou and Mana Pools NP, Zimbabwe; Kruger NP, Hluhluwe GR, South Africa.
Habitat
The black rhino can be found in a wide range of habitats, such as, semidesert thornbush, montane forest, and wetlands. When picking a home range, rhinos will look for water, wallows and mineral licks. Rhinos have been known to eat over 200 types of plants, herbs and shrubs.
The rhino can go up to 4 or 5 days without water. Rhinos have been known to travel 5 to 15 mi (8-25 km) daily to find water for drinking and wallowing in during the dry season.
Activity
The rhino is considered both nocturnal and diurnal. Rhinos can be found eating or sleeping most of the time and as a result are known for being quite lazy. On average, rhinos will move and feed at night, but are most active early and late in the day.
Social Systems
Black rhinos are either solitary and territorial or semisocial and nonterritorial depending on the area in which they live. Researchers have concluded that rhinos are becoming more sociable due to more crowded habitats.
In wooded habitats, there are an average of 2.5 rhinos per sq. mi (1/sq. km). Male territories are generally 963 to 1160 acres (390-470 ha) and will generally overlap other territories while female territories are 1433 to 1900 acres (580-770 ha).
In the Ngorongoro Crater, for example, 100 different rhinos were seen within a 100 sq. mi (260 sq. km) area. In this region, males and females did not have specific territories, but instead shared a home range of 640 to 10.880 acres (259-4400 ha).
Reproduction
Females calve at 2.25 to 4 year intervals which depend on the season and several other factors. Females are capable of conceiving by the age of 4 or 5, which is before maturity of 7 years.
Predators
Hyenas and lions
White Rhinoceros: Ceratotherium simum
Subspecies:
- Northern white rhino, C. s. cottoni (endangered)
- Southern white rhino, C. s. simum
Characteristics
Weight and Height
males: wt 448-4972 lb (2040-2260 kg), ht 68-73 in (171-186 cm)
females: wt 3520 lb (1600 kg), ht 66-71 in (165-178 cm)
Horns
Front horn is typically the largest (24 in [60 cm]); the rear horn is much shorter than front horn and is a triangular shape. Females' horns are generally longer than males'.
Color
slate gray to yellow-brown
General Locations
The white rhino was quite abundant in the Northern Savanna, west of the White Nile and Southern Savanna, south of Zambezi. Due to its calm nature, the white rhino became easy prey to human hunters. The southern white rhino was almost extinct, however, due to preservation efforts, several thousand white rhinos have been reintroduced to the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe GR.
The white rhino can be seen in the following National Parks and Reserves: Umfolozi GR, Kruger NP, South Africa; Hwange NP, Zimbabwe; Garamba NP, Zaire.
Habitat
The white rhino prefers a habitat which includes grassland with water, trees, and mud wallows. The rhino is the largest pure grazer in Africa and is quite unique because of the way that its mouth is constructed for feeding. The white rhino's wide mouth and strong lips enable it to graze broad areas of dense green grass. The rhino is able to go 2 to 4 days without water year-round, but will drink twice a day when near water.
Activity
The white rhino is both a diurnal and nocturnal animal. The rhino spends about 12 hours a day feeding, 8 hours resting, and the rest of the day socializing, drinking, wallowing and walking.
Social Systems
The white rhino is considered the most sociable member of the rhino family. Rhinos tend to stay closer together than most other browsers that consider open habitats home. In some areas, an average of 12.5 rhinos were seen per square mile (5/sq. km) which is 3 times the density of the black rhino.
Males are quite territorial and are considered solitary beings while females tend to associate with groups. An average home range is 198-642 acres (80-260 ha) and can contain 6 or 7 territories. This means that there is only enough space for 2/3 of the adult males to have their own territory. On average, rhinos herd in groups with 6 members which have proven to be quite stable.
Reproduction
The birth peak for white rhinos is during the rainy season. Most females mature by the age of 7 and males by 10 or 12 years. The gestation period for the white rhino is 15 to 16 months.
Leopard: Panthera pardus
Characteristics
Weight and Height
Males: wt 77-143 lb (35-65 kg), ht 24-28 in (60-70 cm)
Females: wt 62-128 lb (28-58 kg), ht 23-26 in (57-64 cm)
Color
tan to reddish brown; dark spots on torso and upper limbs; in tropical regions, leopard have darker spots and in some cases appear to be almost completely black.
General Locations
The leopard can be found in most of the national parks or reserves. However, it is most likely that one will find leopard in: Masai Mara NR, Kenya; Serengeti NP, Tanzania.
Habitat
The leopard is known for it's ability to survive in many different types of habitats, in fact, the leopard probably has the greatest tolerance of any African carnivore. The leopard can easily adapt to anything from lowland rainforest to deserts, to mountains (can be found on the peaks of Kilimanjaro). The leopard has almost 30 different species on which it feeds on a regular basis, even more so than the lion. The leopard will eat anything from medium-sized antelopes to the young of larger species along with hares, birds and other small carnivores. When necessary, it will also kill domesticated animals.
Activity
The leopard is strictly nocturnal. Spends most of the day sleeping in large trees and becomes quite active shortly after dusk and will continue hunting until shortly after dawn. Some leopard will travel as far as 15 mi (25 km) a night and almost never spends the night or day in the same place twice.
Social Systems
The leopard is a solitary cat which means that it hunts, eats, sleeps and lives alone. Leopard will only associate together long enough to mate and then split apart as quickly as possible. Females and males have overlapping home ranges which seems to work out quite well, especially in the national parks. Most home ranges are 3.5 to 24 sq. mi (9-63 sq. km) and 70% overlap at least one other range.
Reproduction
Mating is considered unseasonal which means that there are not any birth or mating peaks. The gestation period is 90 to 100 days and females conceive at 2-year intervals. There are typically 1 to 3 young per litter
Lion: Panthera leo
Characteristics
Weight and Height
males: wt 416 lb (189 kg), ht 48 in (120 cm)
females: wt 277 lb (126 kg), ht 44 in (110 cm)
Color
Tawny with white underparts, occasionally with faint spots; black on tail, ear backs, and lips; Mane varies in color from blond to black.
General Locations
Sub-Saharan regions of Africa except for deserts and rainforest. Lions are generally found in habitats where medium-sized to large herbivores live. The lion is the most abundant predator in the savanna and plains ecosystems. The lion has been completely wiped out in North and South Africa where it used to be quite abundant.
The lion can be found in most of the National Parks and Reserves in Africa.
Habitat
Most savanna and plains habitats are suitable for lions, especially those with a large variety of other animals. In best conditions, habitats will carry around 1 lion per 3 sq. mi (12/100 sq. km). In low density areas however, there will be one 1 lion/50 to 100 sq. mi.
Some of the larger lions will take on buffaloes and even bull giraffes. However, most lions will prey on rodents, birds, turtles, lizards, fish and ostrich eggs.
Activity
Lions are mostly nocturnal, but can also be considered diurnal. Lions will spend 20 hours out of 24 sleeping or resting as a way to conserve energy. Lions become quite active in the afternoon, but do not actually begin hunting until late in the evening and then hunt late in the night-- they will find a place to sleep several hours after daybreak.
Social Systems
Prides of lions are generally composed of related females which all share a traditional home range. Typical home ranges vary in size from 8 to over 124 sq. mi (20-400 sq. km).
Typical prides contain around 13 lions, large prides can contain as many as 40 lions, while some prides will have a few as two members.
Male coalitions: In these groups it is advantageous for a lion to be quite large and to have a spectacular mane. These factors will improve his chance of holding territory. In areas were lions are quite abundant, the chances of a single lion without any territory mating are quite slim. Coalitions of over 4 lions are quite rare so in most cases lions have no trouble finding females to mate with.
Reproduction
There are typically 3 cubs per litter and the gestation period is 14 to 15 weeks. Females will reproduce at 20 to 30-month intervals. Mating is year-round for lions, however the mating and birth peaks are synchronized within prides. Females mature by the age of 4 and males by the age of 5.
Ok i am going to add the Nile Crocodile to this list
COMMON NAMES:
Nile crocodile, Mamba, Garwe, Ngwenya
NAME ETYMOLOGY:
> Crocodylus is derived from the Greek krokodeilos which means literally "pebble worm" (kroko = pebble; deilos = worm, or man) referring to the appearance of a crocodile.
> niloticus means "of the Nile" (Nile River, Africa)
SUBSPECIES:
Given the wide distribution range, a number of population differences have been observed, and several subspecies proposed. These are rarely differentiated in the literature, however, and they are not officially recognised.
Suggested subspecies: C. n. africanus (East African Nile crocodile), C. n. chamses (West African Nile crocodile), C. n. corviei (South African Nile crocodile), C. n. madagascariensis (Malagasy Nile crocodile, Malagasy alligator, Croco Mada), C. n. niloticus (Ethiopian Nile crocodile), C. n. pauciscutatus (Kenyan Nile crocodile, Kenya alligator, Kenya caiman), C. n. suchus (Central African Nile crocodile)
DISTRIBUTION:
Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Mauritania, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Fairly recently extirpated from Israel, and less recently (beginning of the 19th century) from the Cormoros islands (thought to be due to an increase in aridification and thus a decrease in suitable habitat).
HABITAT:
Wide habitat preferences, reflecting their success and distribution- e.g. lakes, rivers, freshwater swamps, brackish water. Sub-adults disperse into different habitats, away from breeding areas, when they reach a length of approximately 1.2 m. Nile crocodiles modify their habitat by digging dens (usually with their snouts and feet) into which they retreat from adverse conditions such as temperature extremes.
STATUS:
CITES: Appendix I, except 1. Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe (Appendix II ranching); 2. Madagascar, Uganda (Appendix II annual quota)
IUCN Red List: LRlc (LOW RISK, LEAST CONCERN, may be threatened in some parts of range)
Estimated wild population: 250,000 to 500,000
Summary: Wide distribution coupled with healthy populations and successful management in many areas. A few areas are poorly surveyed or with depleted populations
APPEARANCE:
Considerable variation exists throughout the range of the Nile crocodile. Generally, it is a large crocodilian, averaging 5 m in length but reportedly reaching 6 m in rare instances. There are dubious reports of 7 m animals having existed, but these are hard to verify. There is some evidence that Nile crocodiles in cooler countries (eg. South Africa) reach slightly smaller adult sizes (4 m). There are two known population of dwarf Nile crocodiles living on the extreme limits of the species' range, in Mali and even the Sahara Desert! Due to suboptimal conditions, adults average between 2 and 3 metres. Juveniles are dark olive brown with black cross-banding on the tail and body. This banding becomes fainter in adults.
DENTITION:
5 pre-maxillary; 13-14 maxillary; 14-15 mandibular
Total no. of teeth = 64-68
Sub-adult head amongst a group Head of adult from above (b&w) Adult basking on grass
Detailed adult head portrait (b&w)
DIET:
Although the juveniles are generally restricted to eating small aquatic invertebrates and insects, they soon move onto larger vertebrates (fish, amphibians and reptiles). Adults, however, can potentially take a wide range of large vertebrates, including antelope, buffalo, young hippos, and large cats. Fish and smaller vertebrates often form the greatest part of their diet, however. As with C. porosus, they have a reputation as being man-eaters, although probably kill more people than all other crocodilian species combined. Along with hippos and lions, crocodiles account for perhaps a few hundred deaths and disappearances each year, although exact figures are very hard to verify. Nile crocodiles will also often scavenge from carcasses, together with a number of other animals, all of which seem to tolerate each others' presence. They have a rather well-known relationship with several species of birds (e.g. spur-wing plover, called "trochilus" by Herodotus) which are reputed to pick pieces of meat from between the teeth of the crocodiles as they gape - the birds gain a meal, the crocodiles have their teeth cleaned of scraps they could not eat themselves. Whether such a mutual relationship actually exists is hard to determine from the literature and anecdotal reports, but seems more likely to be opportunistic rather than symbiotic.
Several prey animals have been found wedged under submerged branches and stones, leading to reports that the crocodiles store unwanted prey here until a later date. Some claim that it is necessary for the prey to decompose before the crocodiles are able to tear portions of flesh off, but this is unlikely to be true. The flesh may become softer if the prey remains in water after death, but crocodiles will certainly avoid rotting meat. When feeding, a number of individuals will hold onto a carcass with their powerful jaws whilst twisting their bodies. The anchorage provided by the other individuals allows large chunks to be torn off for easier swallowing. A few lone individuals have been reported to wedge prey between branches in order to provide the anchorage necessary for such actions to be effective, which could even be claimed to be a form of primitive tool use.
Other cooperative feeding behaviour has been reported, such as the action of many animals to cordon off an area of water to concentrate fish within. A hierarchy of feeding order is often observed in such situations, with more dominant animals feeding first. Groups of crocodiles will often move onto land to scavenge from kills made up to several hundred metres from the water. Adults have also been observed fishing using their bodies and tails to corral the fish towards the bank where they are concentrated and picked up with a sideways snatch of the jaws. Social behaviour in Nile crocodiles is often underestimated, although there are many aspects still poorly understood.
It has been observed that social status may influence an individual's feeding success, with less dominant animals tending to eat less in situations where they come into frequent social contact with other, more dominant individuals.
BREEDING:
This species digs hole nests up to 50cm deep in sandy banks, several metres from the water. These may be in close proximity to other nests. Timing of nesting behaviour varies with geographic location - it takes place during the dry season in the north, but at the start of the rainy season further south, usually from November through to the end of December. Females reach sexual maturity around 2.6 m, males at around 3.1 m. Females lay around 40 to 60 eggs in the nest, although this number is quite variable between different populations. Females remain near the nest at all times. Incubation time averages 80 to 90 days (ranges from 70 to 100 days), after which females open the nest and carry the juveniles to the water. Both males and females have been reported to assist hatching by gently cracking open eggs between their tongue and upper palate. Hatchlings remain close to the juveniles for up to two years after hatching, often forming a creche with other females. As with many crocodilians, older juveniles tend to stay away from older, more territorial animals.
Despite the vigilance of the female during the incubation period, a high percentage of nests are raided by a variety of animals, from hyaenas and monitor lizards to humans. This predation usually occurs when the female is forced to leave the nest temporarily in order to thermoregulate by cooling off in the water.
CONSERVATION:
When considering its total distribution and status, the Nile crocodile is not considered seriously endangered per se, although in some areas it is badly depleted and in danger of being extirpated from some countries. Extensive population surveys in some areas have contributed to sustainable-yield management programs, mainly in southern and eastern African countries. These have been part of the monitoring necessary for those countries trying to establish sustainable use programs encouraged by IUCN and CITES. Central and western countries have seen much fewer population surveys conducted, and in general most countries (two thirds of African countries) have very little information regarding status.
After a population decline around the middle of the century due to over-hunting, legal protection has resulted in significant recoveries in several areas, and large populations can now be found (e.g. Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe). However, even with the lack of survey information, it appears that numbers in central and western countries are faring badly. This may be partly due to habitat differences, and the presence of two other sympatric species of crocodile (C. cataphractus and O. tetraspis). Humans do come into conflict with C. niloticus in several areas (e.g. mortality due to crocodiles has been reported frequently in Tanzania), and this fuels the need to establish more sustainable-yield management programs, together with educational programs. The skin from this species is considered to be a 'classic' skin, in that high-quality leather is obtainable without blemish-causing osteoderms reducing its value. Commercial utilisation is widespread, therefore, and many successful management programs have been established (e.g. Zimbabwe, South Africa). These have mainly been set up in conjunction with CITES, with the emphasis being placed upon ranching programs. Countries which still have certain quotas that can be harvested from the wild are moving towards establishing their own ranching programs (e.g. Madagascar). These initiatives are perhaps responsible for the lack of illegal trade in this species, which is currently considered to be insignificant.
____________________
Guard your wallet when I`m around.I steal from everyone I can and lie at every word I speak..I am the ultimate scumbag lying piece of crap.
|
Texasdoc
Banned
| Joined: | Tue Apr 5th, 2005 |
| Location: | LaGrange, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 1415 |
| Photo: | [Download] | | Are you a handloader?: | No | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I shoot factory ammo | | My favorite chambering is:: | the rifle I paid for with all the money I ... |
| Status: |
Offline
|
back to top
|
your welcome Phil. anytime I can help out .
Doc
____________________
Guard your wallet when I`m around.I steal from everyone I can and lie at every word I speak..I am the ultimate scumbag lying piece of crap.
|
|
