Wildlife

Wildlife at Ditoro Game Lodge

Ditoro Game Lodge is well stocked with the following game:

sable antelope, giraffe, eland, kudu, waterbok, zebra, red hartebeest, blue wildebees (gnu), impala, blesbok, nyala, gemsbok (oryx), ostrich.

Other common species:

Leopard, caracal (rooikat), civet (musk cat), brown hyena, black-backed jackal, banded mongoose (muishond), honey badger (ratel), warthog, bush pig, vervet monkeys, chacma baboons, tree squirrels, lesser and thick-tailed bush babies, rock hyrax (dassies), antbear (ant-eater), pangolin

Be aware that crocodiles sometimes amble on down to our very inviting dams from neighbouring farms.

Birdlife

Confirmed sightings of over 180 bird species since 1996.

Common birds in the area include many species of waterbirds, eagles, falcon, raptors, owls.

Links

Spotter’s Guide to Bushveld Birds

Birdlife International: BirdLife IBA Factsheet (for information on Cape Vulture in the Waterberg)

Wildlife of Southern Africa

Snakes

Of 138 snakes species found in South Africa, 35 are venomous, and only 8 of these are highly venomous. In the Waterberg and at Ditoro the following species are common and regarded as highly venomous and very dangerous:

puff adder, black mamba, green mamba, boomslang (“tree snake”), Mozambique spitting cobra, rinkhals

African rock pythons are common in the area. Although pythons are not venomous, they can inflict a nasty bite. Pythons grow to impressive sizes (up to 6 metres) and the larger ones are very dangerous indeed.

The puff adder is the most widespread poisonous snake in South Africa. It gets its name from the fact that it inflates itself with air when disturbed. The puff adder is the fastest striking snake in the world. Upon being bitten, the victim feels an immediate excruciating pain and increasing swelling – this swelling can reach huge proportions, leading to loss of blood circulation into tissue, causing tissue death. Without medical treatment, including blood transfusion, the loss of blood circulation may be fatal. Tissue death at the bite site invariably causes disfigurement and often permanent disability.

Other adders, such as the horned adder, night adder etc., are also found in the Waterberg region and should be regarded as dangerous.

The black mamba is the most feared of the South African snakes. It is aggressive and will strike if agitated. Its venom is fast-acting, neurotoxic and cardio toxic and without immediate first-aid will kill a person in about 6 hours.

A black mamba grows to 3,5 metres in length and its colour varies from grey-green, olive green, grey-brown to gunmetal grey. The underside is pale grey or grey-green. The inside of the black mamba’s mouth is blackish, which is where the snake gets its name.

Visitors to Ditoro Game Lodge are strongly advised not to disturb or try to handle snakes they might encounter – especially since the nearest hospital equipped for the treatment of serious snake bite is about 90 minutes away by road. As a precaution, keep chalet and bedroom doors closed to prevent snakes entering.

Note: Attend a presentation on South Africa’s snakes, with the opportunity to handle live snakes, by arrangement with Ditoro’s management.

Links