Big Cats and Dogs in Kenya
Africa’s Eclectic Hunters: Bigs Cats and Dogs
“A live hunt” is too short an epithet to describe the trill of watching this unfold in the wild. A pièce-de- résistance of safari moment. The first thing the safari guide teaches you about spotting the big cats and dogs is knowing where to look for them. Much of this is done by sign tracking. And signs are anything besides a track proper that is an indication of an animal. Studying the landscape is ergo wise-to-ways to know where to find wildlife. In most national parks, national reserves and wildlife conservancies around Kenya, there are “islands” where many species will be found. One way to find the eclectic hunters is to find the best islands for preys.
And wherever there are herbivores, carnivores will follow. Plains game and large mammals tend to stick to certain routines and home ranges. As a rule of thumb they prefer thick tangles of vegetation, brush, rocks – to hide in and escape to – proximity to a watering hole, although this may not be a guaranteed success because many herbivores don’t need it and they get water they need from plants, transitional areas between two habitats like plains, and shaded riverine. Finally, the lay of land determines where animals are found. Animals will tend to take the easiest route of travel across a landscape, although the trails may be non-specific. There is some definite wearing into the landscape but it varies seasonally to boot.
The iconic African lion, often called the “king of the jungle,” is known for its majestic mane and powerful presence. Apex predators with a variety of hunting skills, they live in prides and are most often seen lounging or on the prowl for food. Almost unrelatable, solitary and elusive, leopards are nocturnal hunters, often spotted in trees or on rocky outcrops. They are powerful and graceful, with a stunning spotted coat. The trio is aptly completed by the duma! The world’s fastest land animal, the cheetah can reach speeds of up to 70 mph. Unlike its kin, they are most active during the day, making them easier to spot during safaris.
A Pictographic Gallery of Big Cats and Dogs in Kenya
Lion, (Simba)
Is the largest carnivore (flesh eater) in Africa, once abundant in open country everywhere, but now is more restricted in habitat. “Prides” or family parties spend most of the day lying in shade. At dusk they start hunting, with the lioness taking charge and usually doing the stalking. This majestic cat’s populations are on a slump and fast disappearing, regionally extinct in 7 African countries and declared as “vulnerable” in 1996.
Cheetah, (Duma)
The swift mammal in the world, hunts during the day by running down the smaller antelopes with a terrific burst of speed and with a body to suit: relatively long legs compared to its body size, a big heart and lungs and wide nasal It has been timed at over 60 miles an hour! Unlike the true cats it’s not able to retract its claws into sheaths. The cheetah’s habitat is now only 21% of its former range.
Leopard, (Chui)
It has an extremely varied diet, even inclusive of insects which, with its weariness and nocturnal habits, accounts for the success of this animal in existing in areas where other large animals have been exterminated. Uneaten food is usually stored on trees out of the reach of the other carnivals. The leopard is the most secretive and elusive big cat favoring rocky dense bush, and riverine forests.
Serval, (Mundu)
Is a spotted member of the cat family that exists in many parts of Kenya, where it preys on birds and other small mammals. It is a slender, long-legged animal with large black-tipped ears and like most cats is nocturnal. The serval has the longest legs – relative to body size – of all cats. The serval is normally tan with black spots.
Wild Cat, (Paka Povi)
Is another nocturnal cat which very much resembles the usual domestic cat, and is known to breed with domestic animals. It feeds mainly on rodents, insects and small birds. It is agile and an expert climber and concentrated in many parts of Kenya. It spots medium-brown coat with black stripes and can reach 50-80 cms in length and weight about 6 kgs.
Golden Cat, (Paka Mwitu)
Is about twice the size of the domestic cat. It’s colour may vary from grey to golden brown with equivalent blotches on the place underside. This cat has relatively shorter legs compared with the serval and its head is also small relative to its body; with rounded and untufted ears. It has white spots around its eyes and cheeks.
Genet, (Kanu au Kala)
Growing upto 20 inches in length with an usually long tail, it lives mainly in dense areas. Classified as a carnivore, it is in truest form actually omnivorous: eating what is most available. Genets avoid open habitats opting for dense vegetation including woodlands, savannas, forests, and sometimes thrive in farmlands near villages.
Caracal, (Simba Mangu)
Is a lynx-like cat with a tawny coat and tufted ears, inhabiting drier bush areas where it feeds on birds and smaller mammals, from rodents to small antelopes. With a sleek, streamlined body often spotting a reddish gold coat with dramatic markings on the face, the caracal is an agile and formidable hunter. It utilities tall grass as camouflage to hunt prey.
Wild or Hunting Dog, (Mbwa Mwitu)
Unlike the Jackal, hunts in packs of upto 20 much the same way as wolfs. Antelopes, large and small, fall prey to this close relative of the domestic dog. Its body marks are variegated and usually white, yellow, brown and black, and it is about the size of the Bull Terrier. African wild dogs are among the most successful social hunters in Africa, once widespread, but now endangered. They live in groups.
Jackal, (Mbweha)
Is often seen near lion ‘kills’ or loping along in pairs in search of small animals or carrion. There are three species in Kenya – the Side-Stripped, the Golden and the Silver Backed Jackal. Jackals are cunning and spirited. ‘Like other members of their genus, jackals sing at evening; their cry is considered more dismaying to human ears than that of hyenas’. Pups are self reliant at 6 months.
Bat-eared Fox
Is a smaller often grey coloured nocturnal carnivore best seen in open country, usually in small groups. It lives in burrows in the plain and can often be seen in the Nairobi National Park nearby the entrance to its dugouts, enjoying the afternoon sun. And unlike its larger relatives this pretty animal feeds on insects and varied other small creatures it can capture. It is easily identified by its conical large ears and bushy tail. This fox is named for its enormous ears.
Hyena, (Fisi)
Is nature’s most adept scavenger. The powerful jaws of the hyena easily crush bones and very little of a dead animal is left uneaten. Hyenas are cowardly creatures and never attack a healthy adult animal but they will do for newly born young and animals that are aged and weakened. Depicted as scavengers, hyenas are actually masterful hunters. Hyenas don’t laugh and are not related to dogs.
Related Pictographic Galleries
Kenya certainly has enormous touring resources. There are no less than sixty national narks, reserves and game sanctuaries, covering approximately 11% of the land surface. Each of these diverse and stunning national parks and reserves offers unique wildlife experiences and unique, breathtaking landscapes.
Index of National Parks & Reserves in Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Baringo National Reserve, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Kerio Valley National Reserve, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, Bomet County - The South Western Mau National Reserve, Busia County - Malaba Sanctuary, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Rimoi National Reserve, Embu County - Mount Kenya National Park; Irangi Forest Station, Mwea National Reserve, Garissa County - Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Arawale National Reserve, Boni National Reserve, Homa Bay County - Ruma National Park, Isiolo County - The Bisanadi National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Shaba National Reserve, Kajiado County - Amboseli National Park, Kakamega County - Kakamega National Reserve, Kilifi County - Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Reserve, Watamu Marine National Park, Malindi Marine Reserve, Kisumu County - Kisumu Impala Sanctuary, Ndere Island National Park, Kitui County - Mwingi National Reserve, South Kitui National Reserve, Kwale County - Shimba Hills National Reserve, Diani-Chale Marine National Reserve, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park & Reserve, Lamu County - Dodori National Reserve, Kiunga Marine National Reserve, Machakos County - Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park, Makueni County - Chyulu Hills National Park, Ngai Ndethya National Reserve, Mandera County - Malka Mari National Park, Marsabit County - Losai National Reserve, South Island National Park, Marsabit National Park & Reserve, Sibiloi National Park, Meru County - Meru National Park, Mombasa County - Mombasa Marine National Reserve & Park, Nairobi County - The Nairobi National Park, Nakuru County - Mount Longonot National Park, Crescent Island Sanctuary, Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, Nandi County - Bonjoge National Reserve, Narok County - Masai Mara National Reserve, Nyeri County - The Aberdare National Park, Samburu County - Samburu National Reserve, Maralal National Reserve, Siaya County - Lake Kanyaboli Reserve, Tana River County - Kora National Park, The Tana Primate National Reserve, Taita Taveta County - Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Tharaka Nithi County - Mutejwa National Reserve, Trans Nzoia County - Mount Elgon National Park, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Turkana County - Central Island Reserve, South Turkana Reserve, West Pokot County - Nasolot National Reserve
