Interesting facts about tigers

Tigers are some of the most interesting cat types in the world, however many of us don’t really know much about them and the way they behave with the other animals.

They are a large, magnificent creature with a great appeal to kids, and in this article we are going to share with you a few interesting facts about tigers that will help you better understand these majestic animals.

One of the basic facts about tigers is that the tiger vision is around 5-6 times better than the one a man has. In fact, all cats, including tigers are known to have a much better vision than humans. However, the tiger night vision can be, surprisingly, much better than the one of some dog races.

Also, some other facts about tigers state that they mark their territories in two ways, either by urinating on the trees or scratching them. Their urine has a scent of buttered popcorn, which is very interesting.

Tigers have a unique system of stripes, and no two tigers will have the same stripes. This is actually very similar to the DNA system that you can find in human. On top of that, tigers don’t roar at other animals, instead they use roaring as the means to communicate with other tigers that might be in the vicinity.

It’s also interesting to know that tigers, unlike lions, will wait for the cubs and females to eat first, as the males will eat later. This is very impressive considering the fact that many animals do the exact opposite, and it shows, once again, why the tiger is such a majestic and wonderful creature.

Unlike most big cats, tigers have a natural ability to swim, and while they aren’t major swimmers, they are much better at this than many other large cats, which is great.

For the first week of their life, the tiger cubs are blind and, because of that, they are prone to being hunted by other predators. In fact, more than half of all cubs don’t get to adulthood.

The fastest speed that a tiger can sprint at is around 60 km/h, however they can’t keep this speed for a very long time, instead they run in short bursts, and usually just after a prey.

Despite being natural hunters however, tigers fail from time to time in getting their prey, and that is why only one in 10 hunts are actually successful.

Lastly, it’s important to know that tigers actually have an antiseptic saliva. This means that they saliva can help disinfect wounds.

In conclusion, tigers are some amazing creatures and, as you can see, they are filled with surprises. You will definitely enjoy tigers even more once you read these amazing facts, and feel free to check out our site for more information on these wonderful creatures. 

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Join award winning, internationally‐published wildlife photographer, instructor and author Kathleen Reeder for exclusive wildlife photography workshops at Ukutula Lodge.

Workshop Dates:

1.May 22-24,2015
2.May 25-27,2015
3.May 28-30,2015

For more details visit http://conta.cc/ZQIAdG 

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Join award winning, internationally‐published wildlife photographer, instructor and author Kathleen Reeder for exclusive wildlife photography workshops at Ukutula Lodge.

Workshop Dates:

1.May 22-24,2015
2.May 25-27,2015
3.May 28-30,2015

For more details visit http://conta.cc/ZQIAdG

info@ukutula.com
Tell.21 (0) 12 254 4780
Cell.27 (0) 84 510 1046

Exclusive Wildlife Photography Workshop hosted by Kathleen Reeder

Do you love nature, wildlife and photography? Than the wildlife photography workshop is definitely for you.

Ukutula Lodge is proud to announce that the exclusive wildlife photography workshop, taking place May 2015, will be hosted by award-winning, internationally published wildlife photographer, instructor and author Kathleen Reeder.

"This private workshop consists of online webinar instruction before the workshop, on‐location instruction during the workshop and exclusive photography access while at Ukutula Lodge."

Secure your place today http://goo.gl/Kzz3me 

Kathleen Reeder is an accomplished professional who has a desire to share her knowledge with photographers of all skill levels.

"An enjoyable experience all around punctuated by photographs of a lifetime!" - Evelyn H.

Secure your place today http://goo.gl/Kzz3me  

This is definitely an experience not to be missed!

The Big 5

 

When you think of ‘The Big 5’, the animals in question are immediately recognized worldwide. The term originated as a way of describing these five species as the most difficult for hunters to capture or kill, due to their ferocity and their likelihood to stand their ground and retaliate. Here is a look at the five animals known wide as Africa’s Big Five.

 

The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest mammal in the world and remarkably adaptable. Elephants live in woodlands, forests, deserts and savanna, spread across 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The demand for ivory led to a dramatic decrease in elephant numbers, especially during the 1970's and 1980's. A ban on all ivory trade has helped stabilize the population to around 600,000 in the last decade. But poaching is still a major issue, especially in parts of Africa where there is political instability. The African elephant is listed as "vulnerable" by the IUCN Redlist of threatened species.

 

The African lion (Panthera leo) king of the sub-Saharan savanna, has been admired by man for its beauty and strength for thousands of years. It's one of the most exciting animals to see on safari. These beautiful, large cats are excellent hunters but you're more likely to see one sleeping than hunting.

Lions are very social animals, unlike other cats, they live in prides of several females, their young and a couple of males. They will cooperate when hunting difficult prey like a buffalo, but usually they'll take down an antelope on their own. Females hunt more than males and all lions will happily scavenge given half a chance. Lions ambush their prey, (like leopards), rather than track and chase (like hyenas).

 

The African leopard (Panthera pardus) is more numerous than the African rhino in the Big 5 pantheon, but they are just as difficult to spot on safari in Africa. Leopards use trees as observation platforms and for protection, so you have to remember to look up to see this solitary, beautiful cat. Leopards are shy and nocturnal, quite modest for a cat that can climb, swim and live in a wider range of habitats than most other wild cats. Leopards live throughout sub-Saharan Africa, they cover a wide range of habitats from the thick forests of West Africa to the highlands of Ethiopia, but they prefer thick bush and riverine forests. A leopards' only predator is man. Man has succeeded in getting this magnificent cat on the IUCN's "near threatened" list by reducing the leopards' habitat, depleting its prey and hunting it.

 

Black rhinos are usually solitary, whereas white rhinos tend to be more social and live in groups. Black rhinos live in savanna, shrub and tropical bush areas, they eat leaves, bushes, small tree branches and shoots. White rhinos live in the savanna and are grazers. Their lips are what distinguish them from one another, a black rhino has a prehensile lip to strip leaves off bushes. A white rhino has a long, flat lip adapted for grazing. Unfortunately, as a result of poaching, these magnificent animals are rarely found in the wild, and very few remain alive in conservation areas with every effort being taken to promote the survival and repopulation of two of the most important species on the planet.

 

Rhinos are large mammals (only second in size to the elephant), an adult white rhino can weigh in at close to 3000kg. Rhinos are indeed shortsighted, a little bad tempered, but magnificent to look at. Unfortunately there aren't too many to look at these days due to poaching. Rhino horn, used for medicinal purposes to reduce fevers, is much prized in Asia. In 2012, rhino horns were valued at R600 000 per kilo, with each horn weighing in at about 3-4kg, that's a lot of temptation for poachers. If they manage to avoid poachers, rhinos can live up to 30-50 years.

 

Cape Buffalo are commonly found in protected wildlife throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Four sub-species of African Buffalo have been recognized and reflect the different regions and habitats they live in: Forest Buffalo (S. c. nanus); West African Savanna Buffalo (S. c. brachyceros); Central African Savanna Buffalo (S. c. aequinoctialis); and Southern Savanna Buffalo (S. c. caffer). The forest buffalo are smaller than those found in the savanna.

 

Cape buffalo are large. Adults stand 4-6 feet tall and males weigh in at around 700 kg's. Even lions don't dare take a chunk out of this beast unless they have friends helping them. Cape Buffalo are said to have killed more big game hunters than any other animal in Africa and are one of Africa's most dangerous animals. Needless to say, the Cape buffalo has never been domesticated, but if left alone they are quite placid.

 

5 Facts about Zebras

 

We all know the long standing debate. It is one that is argued to this day in bars and at restaurants between friends all over the world.

 

Do zebras have white stripes and black bodies, or black stripes and white bodies?

 

Well, the question seems to be unanswered, but I assure you, we have our best people working on it as I write this!

 

While we wait for that to be solved, here are some more incredible facts about these quirky cousins of the horse and donkey (Information courtesy of LiveScience):

 

1.     Zebras are one of a handful of single-toed hoofed animal species, a category that also includes donkeys, horses and asses. The single hoof is probably an adaptation that helps them run fast on hard ground. Zebras are the most striking-looking of the animals in this family.

2.     So, why the stripes? When zebras are grouped together, their stripes make it hard for a predator to pick out one zebra to chase. Different zebra species have different types of stripes, from narrow to wide. In fact, the further south on the African plains you travel, the farther apart the stripes on the zebras get.

3.     They are generally slower than horses with a top speed of around 35 mph (56 kph), but their great stamina helps them outpace predators. When chased, a zebra will zigzag from side to side, making it more difficult for the predator to catch them. When cornered, a zebra will rear up and kick or bite its attacker.

 

4.     Zebra are extremely dependent on water and never wander far from waterholes, where they usually drink at least once a day. It is the responsibility of an adult mare (often the oldest), to guide the family as they move from area to area and ensure that they never wander too far from water.

 

5.     Zebras in a herd might all look alike, but their stripe patterns are as distinctive as fingerprints are in humans. Scientists can identify individual zebras by comparing patterns, stripe widths, color and scars. They have black skin underneath their hair, which makes some people say that they have white stripes, but the point is really still up for contention.

 

Written by Wesley Geyer

Creative writer

What day visitors to Ukutula can expect

Nestled in the bushveld an hour away from Johannesburg, Ukutula Lodge is home to 130 different bird species, and is one of the most advanced Lion Research Centres in the country. Visitors to the lodge can enjoy incredible views of the bush while experiencing lions and various other wild animals in their natural habitat. Day visitors have three incredible options available, each of which will give visitors an unforgettable experience.

The guided bush walks with the lions is an hour long trip into the massive Ukutula reserve bush, a guided tour of the territory that is home to the lions on the reserve. Visitors will have the opportunity to see the young Ukutula lions on their natural habitat, with countless incredible opportunities for photography with the animals as they roam free amongst the tour group. Tea, coffee and light refreshments are included, and tours commence at 08:00 and 16:00 daily, from Monday to Sunday.

The Lion Interaction Programme takes visitors on a guided tour to the lion, tiger, cheetah, hyena and caracal enclosures, and ends the experience off with a once in a lifetime visit with some of the local lion cubs. Visitors are able to play with the cubs and pose for photos to capture their experience to show all their friends. As with the guided bush walk, tea, coffee and light refreshments are included. The Lion Interaction Programme commences at 10:00 and 14:00 daily from Monday to Sunday.

For an extended visit to the Lodge, visitors can opt in for a full day package, which includes both of the packages above. This full program runs for 3 - 4 hours and takes visitors for a walk through the bush veld with an experienced guide, learning the ins and outs of the lion kingdom and the research being done at the lodge. Visitors will then be given the opportunity to interact one on one with the lion cubs, posing for once in a lifetime photo opportunities.

5 things you might not know about Hyenas

Generally, the first encounter we all have with hyenas is in The Lion King, where they are depicted as slightly crazed, fun loving and deceptive animals with high pitched laughs and a pack mentality.


Sure, this is a caricature of what they are really like, but it is still what many people think of when they see a hyena in the wild. What many people don't know however, is that hyenas play a huge role in the ecosystems they live in, and are important and powerful for a number of reasons.


Here are a few interesting facts about these wild dogs that many people may not know.

1.    We are all aware of the ominous laughing sound the hyena makes when communicating, and many people even believe that what they are doing is actually laughing, which is why it may look like they are constantly smiling. While they are not really joking around, the call is a fundamental part of their communication, and it allows them to communicate with other hyenas up to three miles away.

2.    Typically known as scavengers, hyenas tend to avoid trouble where they can, and will try steal food away when bigger predators aren't looking, or once they have finished their meals. However, they will not hesitate to group up and take down bigger animals, sometimes even large wildebeest, in order to get their food. Hyenas hunt in packs of up to 8 members, so even though they’re small, there is still a lot of danger when they are around.

3.    Hyenas have incredibly strong jaws for their size, and they make use of that power to get every bit of nutrition they can from a carcass, breaking up the bones and chewing through the tough skin of their prey in order to get their nutrients. Because they are mainly scavengers, females often have to protect their young against the males, since they tend to be cannibalistic when there is a shortage of food available.

4.    Hyenas have incredible endurance, and can go for several days without any water. Their hind legs are shorter than their thick, muscular front legs, giving them a posture similar to that of a bear. This posture is great for long distance travel, and allows them to cover a lot of ground quickly and without using a lot of energy.

5.    The average life span of a hyena is around 19 years, and females give birth to up to four cubs at a time after a gestation period of between three to four months. Females also tend to prefer mating with males from outside of their own pack, and uncommonly in the animal kingdom, have higher testosterone levels than their male counterparts.

DAY PACKAGE

Monday – Sunday @ 08:00 or 14:00

R 750.00 p/person

Includes:  Tea, coffee & light refreshments, , interaction with young lions, a guided tour to the lion, cheetah, tiger, caracal and hyena enclosures and a guided bush walk with lions.  

(Program is between 3 – 4 hours)

www.ukutula.com

LION INTERACTION PROGRAMME

Monday – Sunday @ 10:00 or 14:00

R 450.00 p/adult (Children under 10 are half price & children under 5 are free of charge)

Includes:  Tea, coffee & light refreshments, interaction with young lions, a guided tour to the lion, cheetah, tiger, caracal and hyena enclosures.  

(Program is between 2 – 3 hours)

www.ukutula.com

GUIDED BUSH WALK WITH LIONS

Monday – Sunday @ 08:00 or 16:00

R 600.00 p/person (No children under 12 years allowed – minimum height 1.5 metres)

Includes:  Tea, coffee & light refreshments and an hour walk into the bushveld to observe young lions in their natural environment. (Program is +- 1½ hour)

Great photographic opportunity on the walk! 

www.ukutula.com 

Why do some animals kill or injure their young?

Animal infanticide is defined as the killing of young offspring, by a mature animal of its own species. Infanticide in the wild is well documented and is studied in zoology.

According to Doug Mock, a professor of biology at the University of Oklahoma, animal parents have limited resources to dedicate to their offspring, and if the baby is sick or weak, carnivores have been known to consume babies or abandon them.

Infanticide can be accidental, too, said Susan Margulis, associate professor of biology at Canisius College.

“The thing that people don’t realize is that most young animals die. Most die when they’re in infancy. Animals mostly raise two babies to adulthood” she said.

When animal mothers neglect or try to kill their own young in captivity, hand-rearing is one option, Margulis said

Infanticide is often perpetrated by adult males, however female animals are also known to kill or injure their young.

According to a BBC Nature News article, Baby animals are often protected by their fathers, with male protection playing an important role in infant survival. But when new males arrive on the scene, everything can change.

Male interlopers attempt to overthrow these fathers. If they succeed, by hurting, chasing off or even killing a previously dominant male, and taking over the leadership of their group, then infants are suddenly placed at great risk.

Males who take over a lion pride often only want one thing – to have their own children with the mother. Males who have arrived on the scene often only want one thing - to have their own children with the mother.

In lion society, for example, killing infant’s result in their mothers becoming quickly fertile again, increasing the chance of the new males having offspring.

(Sources: BBC Nature News, PBS.org)

Interesting facts about Lions

The African Lion has been a symbol of raw power, ongoing perseverance and strength through out the ages.

Feared by many and loved by even more, the African lion is one of the biggest attractions pulling in hundreds of tourists each year.

Here are some interesting facts about Lions: 

They live and work in groups

Lions are one of the few species that live, hunt and socialize in groups known as prides. The males in the group do not hunt as often as the females in the group. The females use well-planned tactics to catch prey faster and bigger than them; the females form a circle formation making their chance much higher in catching their prey.

Lazy Lions

Like house cats’ lions enjoy lazing around, sleeping up to 18 hours per day, they will then use the stored up energy in the evening when the temperature is much cooler.

Manes play an important role

Manes play a big role in male lions as this portrays their rank in the pride, manes have many meaning in the health and size appearance of the male lion, the mane often making male lions appear larger resulting in a more intimidating looks to other males in the pride wanting to take the role of Alpha.

Lions used as war deities

Lions have been a status symbol of strength and raw power, often used in ancient armies as war deities. The use of lions in warfare showed that the army had a high status and money. Thankfully the use of them as fighter has been stopped many years ago.

King of the jungle

Even though lions are referred to as the “King Of The Jungle” they live in grasslands and dry plains.

New species of animals discovered in 2013

As humans we pride ourselves in the fact that we have expanded into just about every corner of the world, yet every year more and more plants and animals are discovered from all over the world.

Below is a summary of the new species of animals discovered in 2013...


1. Cyatta abscondita, a fungus-farming ant from Brazil:

These nocturnal, fungus-growing ants (tribe Attini) forage for organic material during the night to take back to their fungus gardens which hang like curtains from the ceilings of their underground chambers.


Although the Attini ants are obligatorily dependent on the fungus that they cultivate, the fungus seem not to be all that dependent on the ants for its survival.

2. Skeleton shrimp (Liropus minusculus)

This alien looking critter is a mere 0,5mm long and was found in a reef cave near California’s Catalina Islands. Although it is also called the Ghost Shrimp it actually belongs to a different family of crustaceans called amphipods.

3. Glow-in-the-Dark Cockroach

Probably the most disgusting creature you will ever come across is the cockroach. Now they have a nifty new skill like glowing in the dark! While this makes them easier to spot in your kitchen it is actually the Luchihormetica luckae trying to mimic a little creature called the toxic click beetle to let other animals think it’s actually toxic. The glowing eye spots on its back are pits in the animal’s skin that is filled with fluorescent bacteria. Doesn’t sound like anything you would like to meet in your kitchen right?


4. Glue-spitting Vietnamese velvet worm (Eoperipatus totoros)

This worm shoots a sticky substance at its prey from special openings, trapping the target so that the worm may eat it. This 5-6 cm long worm is the first velvet worm reported in Vietnam and was originally described in 2010 by Vietnamese researchers; a German-led team made the first formal description in 2013.


5. The Carnivorous Olinguito

The animal belongs to the family Procyonidae, which it shares with raccoons, coatis, kinkajous and olingos. It is the first carnivore species discovered in the Western Hemisphere in more than three decades.


The Olinguito, the smallest member of the raccoon family, looks like a cross between a house cat and a teddy bear.

FAQ #9 – What is the normal Gestation period for a lioness?

The normal gestation period for a lioness is roughly 110 days. A lioness conceives between 2 – 4 cubs.

In the wild, roughly 15 percent of all cubs born reach maturity, which means there is quite a high mortality rate. 

FAQ #8 – What happens when a male lion takes over the pride?

When male lions reach full maturity, they are ready to take over territory – which means taking over a pride.

When a male lion takes over a pride, the first thing he does is to kill off the previous males offspring. He kills the cubs because they are not biologically related to him, and does not want to spend his energy ensuring that other lions’ genes will be passed on.

However, within days or weeks of losing their cubs, the female lions come into oestrus and mate with the cub-killing male, and produce other cubs.

FAQ #7 – What projects have been done at Ukutula?

Ukutula is a lion research center situated in South Africa. The game farm comprises 260 hectares of unspoilt bushveld boasting a variety of antelope species, giraffe and zebra.

Ukutula has hosted several research projects, such as a research documentary with National Geographic a few years ago, where a German Professor did 4D scanning of the foetus, inside the worm of the lioness.

We have also been part of the white gene research project, a scientific research for the gene responsible for the white lion.

The University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Veterinary Genetics Laboratory embarked on a collaborative project with Ukutula to study the lion in captivity and particularly the white lion. Ukutula has the largest family of lions that carry the white mutation and this has provided the genetic material for the research. 

Ukutula’s lions have also provided material for disease and immunological research.

FAQ #6 – What are the main dangers that lions face in the wild?

Lions and especially African lions may be one of the most dangerous and feared animals in the world. However, they are faced with many dangers, threats and obstacles in the wild.

Lion hunting is a significant danger that lions face – with other human threats, such as population growth and agricultural expansion resulting in the lions loss of natural habitat and territory. 

FAQ #5 – What Diseases are Lions prone to?

African lions, especially those that live in the wild are vulnerable to many diseases. One such disease is Bovine Tuberculosis.

Bovine Tuberculosis is a serious disease that spreads among numerous wildlife species, and has established itself as a significant problem in lions.

Other infectious viral diseases affecting African lions include Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) or Feline AIDS, which breaks down the lion’s natural immunity or resistance to disease.

FAQ #4 – What is your view on Lion hunting?

Ukutula is a lion research center situated in South Africa. The game farm comprises 260 hectares of unspoilt bushveld boasting a variety of antelope species, giraffe and zebra.

Ukutula and it’s owners Willie and Gillian Jacobs are fully opposed to the practice of lion hunting and are fiercely dedicated to conservation and the protection of lions and all animals.

 For more information on Ukutula please visit our website: http://www.ukutula.com/

FAQ #3 – How often is a male replaced in a Pride and Why?

 

Usually a male is replaced every two to three years. The reason for that is, should a male remain in a pride longer than two to three years, it is more likely that he would than start mating with his own female offspring.

 

In nature, it works that way, that after these few years another male would challenge him and oust him from the pride. The new male lion would then take over the pride.

 

Lions are the only cat species that form social groups, known as prides. These prides are often described as matriarchal because more females belong to a pride and remain long-term members of the pride, unlike male lions.

 

Ukutula is a lion research center situated in South-Africa. The game farm comprises 260 hectares of unspoilt bushveld boasting a variety of antelope species, giraffe and zebra. 

 

Ukutula is also home to more than 130 different bird species. 

 

Known as the “place of quiet” the lodge is nestled in lush bushveld where the roar of the lion can be heard for miles around.

 

For more information on Ukutula please visit our website: http://www.ukutula.com

FAQ #2 – Are Lions Endangered?

Lions are an endangered species! Over the last couple of years, there has been a rapid decline in lion numbers. We have seen large numbers of lions disappearing from the wild.

According to a new report, the African lion is facing extinction across the entire West African region. The report, titled: The lion in West Africa is critically endangered, was published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. The report found that the ‘situation is most critical for the geographically isolated populations in West Africa, where the species is considered regionally endangered.’

This report presents sobering results, and paints bleak and dire pictures of the conditions that lions in the wild face. It has also outlined the need for conservation.

Lions in Africa, more especially West Africa, may soon disappear entirely unless conservation efforts improve.

FAQ #1 – How old do Lions get?

This depends on the species of lion and where they live. Due to the tough life that lions lead in the wild, they life expectancy is between 12 and 14 years.

In captivity, lions can live up to 20 years because they lead quiet lives with regular feeding times. They are under constant medical observation and are well taken care of.

While life in the wild is much more dangerous and exhausting, due to the fact that lions have to constantly hunt for food and are prone to violent fights with other lions and animals.

Ukutula is a lion research center situated in South Africa. The game farm comprises 260 hectares of unspoilt bushveld boasting a variety of antelope species, giraffe and zebra.

Ukutula is also home to more than 130 different bird species.

Known as the “place of quiet” the lodge is nestled in lush bushveld where the roar of the lion can be heard for miles around.

For more information on Ukutula please visit our website: http://www.ukutula.com

Ukutula walk with lions is an experience that will stay with you for a long time.

Day visitors enjoy the unique experience of observing and photographing the lions in their natural environment.

To find out more, call us on 012 254 4780

Whether guests desire a quiet place to unwind, or are looking for a unique venue with modern conference and team building facilities, Ukutula with its friendly staff and quiet ambience is the place to visit. 

WELCOME TO UKUTULA

Known as the “place of quiet” the lodge is nestled in lush bushveld where the roar of the lion can be heard for miles around yet conveniently situated within an hours drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria. It is a game farm that comprises 260 hectares of unspoilt bushveld boasting a variety of antelope species, including giraffe and zebra.
Ukutula is also home to more than 130 different bird species, but is primarily known worldwide for it’s lion research, breeding and conservation programs.

Industry Category :
Game lodge
Lion research
Wildlife
Conservation
What do we NOT provide :
Hunting
Lion hunting
Canned lion hunting

Products or services we sell :
Eco-tourism,
Research programs
Accomodation
Educational programs
Restaurant

Geographic Area : RSA

Differentiators :
White lions
Walk with lions experience

Payment methods :
Card
Cash
Eft