Monday, March 26, 2012

King and Queen of The Jungle of Dar es Salaam Zoo



Water Buffaloes at Dar es Salaam Zoo




Wild water buffalo are larger and heavier than domestic buffalo, and weigh from 700 to 1,200 kg (1,500 to 2,600 lb). Their head-to-body-length is 240 to 300 cm (94 to 120 in) with a 60 to 100 cm (24 to 39 in) long tail and a shoulder height of 150 to 190 cm (59 to 75 in). Both sexes carry horns that are heavy at the base and widely spreading up to 2 m (79 in) along the outer edges, exceeding in size the horns of any other living bovid. Their skin color is ash gray to black. The moderately long, coarse and sparse hair is directed forward from the haunches to the long and narrow head. There is a tuft on the forehead, and the ears are comparatively small. The tip of the tail is bushy; the hooves are large and splayed

Thursday, March 15, 2012

GIANT ELAND IN DAR ES SALAAM ZOO

Giant Eland Anterope found in Dar Zoo
Giant eland are typically between 220–290 cm (7.2–9.5 ft) in length, stand approximately 150 to 175 cm (4.9 to 5.74 ft) at the shoulder, and weigh 440–900 kg (970–2,000 lb). Despite its common name, it is of very similar size to the common eland. The smooth coat is reddish-brown to chestnut, usually darker in males than females, with several well-defined vertical white stripes on the torso. A crest of short black hair extends down the neck to the middle of the back, and is especially prominent on the shoulders. The slender legs are slightly lighter on their inner surfaces, with black and white markings just above the hooves. There are large black spots on the upper forelegs. The bridge of the nose is charcoal black, and there is a thin, indistinct tan-colored chevron between the eyes. The lips are white, along with several dots along the jaw-line

Monday, March 12, 2012

OSTRICH AT DAR ES SALAAM ZOO

Ostrich at Dar Zoo
The ostrich is the largest living bird. An adult male will stand nearly 8 feet in height and weigh between 140 to 230 pounds (63-105kg). The ostrich is perfectly adapted to a mode of life that depends on running to escape predators. It has evolved a cloven hoof consisting of only two toes, similar to that of the other animals that share its plain's existence.
An ostrich has been seen to pass an antelope in full gallop at 40 miles per hour, a feat which places it among the fastest of all birds, in spite of the fact that it does not fly.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The porcupine found at Dar Zoo




The porcupine, of course, easily recognized by its most notable feature,its quills. Quill length on different parts of the body varies, from 1 inch up to 12 inches on the back. Usually the quills lie flat against the body, but if danger threatens, the porcupine raises and spreads them. Scales on quill tips lodge in the skin like fishhooks and are difficult to pull out. New quills grow in to replace lost ones. Porcupines are most common in hilly, rocky country, but they can adapt to most habitats. Excessively moist forests and the most barren of deserts seem to be the only exceptions. They have even been found on Dar es Salaam Zoo.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Secretary Bird in Dar es Salaam Zoo

Secretary Bird in Dar es Salaam Zoo Paddocks

This is the only member of the family Sagittariidae. It is a large bird of open country, savannah and steppe, which can be seen stalking across the plains in search of rodents, reptiles, large insects and, famously, snakes. It has a surprisingly powerful kick which it uses to stamp on larger prey. In addition to its normal "raptor" type diet it is also attracted to bush and grass fires, where it feeds on the small animals which fail to escape the blaze. Although it is usually seen walking it does have very large, broad wings and is an accomplished flyer, using thermals to gain height and soar across distances. Secretary Birds are territorial, normally occupying areas of around 45-50 square kilometres,

Welcome to Dar Zoo





Striped Civet is a small mammal, about 47 cm excluding the tail (which is only about 20 cm) and 2.5 kg. It has the appearance and movements of a small fox. It has short coat greyish beige in color, with dark black horizontal stripes running from head to tail, where the stripes are vertical, wrapping around the bushier tail. The stripes morph into spots near the belly. Its legs are short and very thin. The sources disagree over whether its claws are retractile. It has no anal glands, unlike other civets and specifically can be found in the Dar Es Salaam Zoo.
Striped Civet found in Dar es Salaam Zoo