As well as retelling some of my anecdotes from the bush, I also intend to write about some of the wide range of species that I am encountering here in Tanzania. In Mikumi alone, 60 mammal species, over 400 bird species and 1200 plant species have so far been recorded. Considering only around 10% of the total area of the park has actually been surveyed, (huge amounts are still complete wilderness) and there has been little work surveying invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles there are a lot of species to pick from!!
I will start with a fascinating mammal that I saw one evening in November (a lucky month maybe) at the Vuma Hills safari lodge, about 30 minutes drive south up into the wooded covered hills. Honey Badgers (also known as Ratels) tend to be nocturnal, although this can depend on season, habitat and their diet. Ah, their diets; a fascinating story in itself, like their common names suggests, they are associated with eating honey and bee larvae. To do this, the honey badger will often associate with the greater honey guide; a bird closely related to the woodpecker. The ‘guide’ feeds from the wax of the hive, whilst the honey badger will take the larvae and honey. Whilst neither species are dependent on each other for survival, their foraging efficiency is increased by the relationship; the honey badger locating more nests with the honey guide, and the honey guide gaining access into the larger and more difficult hives thanks to the powerful claws of the honey badger – teamwork!
This fascinating partnership provides only a small portion of the wide diet of the honey badger though, who in addition can feed on scorpions, beetles, lizards, rodents and small birds. They have also been known to feed on small crocodiles and the most poisonous snakes throughout Africa; mambas, adders and cobras! This may be one of the reasons they have been described as the most ‘fearless’ animal in the world. The other reason they deserve this title is that their main form of defence is always; attack, no matter the size or strength of the opponent. The honey badger has been witnessed using its powerful jaw, teeth and claws to attack lion, jackal, hyena, man and even cars when threatened. They have nearly impenetrable, stretchy skin that works in their favour allowing them to wriggle out of most situations for long enough to bite or claw their opponent.
I will leave you with some pictures I managed to get that night and a rather funny video found on you tube. If you haven’t seen it already, is well worth a watch however I feel I should warn, this is strictly for entertainment – so don’t expect a truely scientific description of this fearless creature!
mikumi musings 