Zuid Afrika ons huis in Marloth Park - Spotted in Marloth Park

This Leopard trail is spotted in Naboom St. Sunday Morning 13 February 2011

So we must be realy very carefull, they are for sure in Marloth

That we don't see them is no garanty that they are not here.

Watch the route along the river how the tree's are hanging over the fence

This is for a climber like the Leopard a peace off cake to come in Marloth

Also in 2009 was a Leopard spotted on Ardvark street,he was lying on the path

eating his just cauth Impala, and near a very quiet peace of the road near the river the rangers are warned that a Leopard has his terretorium on that peace of Marloth and that a relax bank was placed on that part resently, so think you sit and watch the river and then the Leopard shows up.

So it's not for nothing that it is absolutly not alowd to walk after the sunset till the morning in Marloth Park, this is the time the big cats going to be active and starting there hunt.

The Leopard

The most secretive and elusive of the large carnivores, the leopard is also the shrewdest. Pound for pound, it is the strongest climber of the larger cats and is capable of killing prey far larger than itself.

The coloring of the leopard varies from white to bright golden brown, spotted with black spots and rosettes. The rosettes consist of groups of 5 to 6 spots arranged in a tight ring.

The tail is longer than half the body length measured from head to tail. This fierce animal has small round ears and long whiskers growing from dark spots on the upper lip. The size of the leopard varies considerably. The leopard differs from the cheetah in having shorter legs, and rosette-like spots and is without the cheetah’s black “tear” marks from eye to mouth.

Quick Facts

Name: Panthera Pardus

Size: The leopard ranges in size from 1 to almost 2 metres long, and weighs between 30 - 70 kg. Females are typically around two-thirds the size of males.

Diet: Carnivorous; Small animals and medium size antelope.

Habitat: Bush and riverine forests. Usually in or near thickets on mountain sides or along streams and rivers. Leopards are mainly nocturnal animals but are also seen during the day, especially in the early mornings and late afternoons. They usually forage alone except in the mating season.

The Leopard

Leopards are shy, cunning and very dangerous, especially when wounded. Leopards are very good tree climbers and can pull large prey up a tree to protect it from other predators or scavengers in the vicinity. They return later to feed again. Leopards still occur outside conservation areas.

Socialisation: Leopards are basically solitary and go out of their way to avoid one another. Each animal has a home range that overlaps with its neighbours; the male’s range is much larger and generally overlaps with those of several females. A leopard usually does not tolerate intrusion into its own range except to mate. Unexpected encounters between leopards can lead to fights.

Reproduction: Leopard breed throughout the year.

Gestation: The gestation period is 3 months. Number of young is 2 to 3 although more have been recorded.

Life Expectancy: 20 years.

Predators: Humans.

an African Rock Python lying in wait along a fence pole with just his head over the edge of the food tray awaiting no doubt for an unwary bird.

Unfortunately due to the large number of so called caretakers (poachers/burglars/room renters,etc.) living in the area I felt it advisable to have it relocated to a safer location.

“Snake buster” Rudi was contacted and came to collect it and after giving it a quick “medical” decided to take it away and check whether it was eating OK before releasing it in Lionspruit

Lifespan: In the wild adults can reach up to 30 years of age.

Length:

The African Rock Python is the largest of all snake species on the African continent. Large adults, especially females measure between 4 – 5,5 meters. Larger specimens of 7 and 8 meters have been recorded.

Venom: None.

Habitat:African Rock Pythons are often found near water in savannah and grassland biomes as well as rocky outcrops. Their preferred retreats are under piles of driftwood and inside old termite mounds and abandoned aardvark (ant-bear) burrows.

Diet:Mammals such as small to medium sized antelope, dassies (hyrax), rodents, hares, monkeys, monitor lizards, crocodiles and occasionally fish are eaten.

Reproduction:During the summer months the female lays between 20 and 60 eggs in a termite mound or aardvark burrow. Large pythons can lay as many as 100 eggs.

The female remains with her eggs for the 2 – 3 month incubation period. During this period she will not feed but will leave on occasion to drink.

On warm days she will often bask in the sun and then use the absorbed body heat to help incubate the eggs by coiling around them. By constantly twitching her body she also generates heat to help raise the temperature of the eggs. Another advantage of coiling around the eggs is their protection against predators such as mongoose, rats and monitor lizards.

After the eggs hatch, the female remains with the hatchlings for a further 2 weeks and once the have shed their first skin they then leave the security of the female to go off on their own.

Notes:The African Rock Python lacks venom glands but is still capable of inflicting a serious bite. Its sharp, recurved teeth often cause severe tissue damage and infection if not disinfected properly.

There are recorded incidents of large African Rock Pythons killing and even eating humans but this is very rare.

Prey that is captured is suffocated to death before consuming. Small prey species are sometimes swallowed alive! Pythons do not crush their prey to death.

The African Rock Python is a highly protected species that plays a very important role in the control of rodent populations.

On Wednesday 19 October 2011, Louise Otto, a resident in Marloth Park, and her helper, walked out of the house they had just cleaned – No. 520 Crocodile Road, when to their surprise, a big male lion jumped up with a growl and disappeared round the house. They both thought they were seeing things!

However, from the enclosed lapa area they confirmed that they were not just tired, they had in fact seen a lion, which then lay down in the grass some 60m from the lapa. Louise contacted our Nkomazi Municipality Senior Game Ranger, Elfas Mahori who assessed the situation and unfortunately the lion was very thin and was limping. He contacted the Mpumalanga Parks Board.

The ‘Marloth Parkers’ who gathered there to see ‘our’ lion waited quietly as it was extremely important that the lion was not disturbed as it would have gone into the thick bush of the nearby parklands and would have been very difficult and dangerous to track and dart.

Riaan, Dr Ferreira du Plessis, the vet and his assistant came to Marloth Park from Nelspruit. The lion was successfully darted from the vehicle and loaded.

Sadly, we could not allow this lion to remain in Marloth Park as he was injured and suffering from TB and therefore would be extremely dangerous to humans

The lion was a ‘visitor’ from the Kruger National Park. The ‘Big 5’ animals – Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Buffalo and Rhinos, fall under the control of Mpumalanga Parks Board and do not ‘belong’ to Marloth Park.

However, we do enjoy the odd visit from our Big 5 neighbours.

So Marloth Parkers and visitors to Marloth Park, always be aware of the fact that you are in the bush and live with wild animals! Enjoy the beautiful nature we are privileged to share…..but do stay alert as there is sometimes danger near!

Joce Gordon