Tanzania 21 - Serengeti National Park - Other Mammals (and a Lizard)

21 - 25 December 2014

The remaining photos of Serengeti mammals that aren't hoofed, big cat, or hippo.

Banded mongoose on their termite mound den.

Up close the bands are very clear.

Although they look like they should be related to rodents, scientific evidence says their closest relatives are elephants and manatees. (Go figure…) This rock hyrax obviously hoped the guests at the lodge would not obey the sign.

Rock hyraxes live on the kopjes (rock outcrops) and have feet that are adapted to gripping smooth rocks. I have no idea what got the attention of all these hyraxes, but clearly they are paying attention to something to the upper right.

The agama lizard -- another very common critter on the kopjes.

This hyrax spent a lot of time dangling at the ends of acacia branches. It looked too heavy to be supported by the branches it was climbing.

Two hyena cubs and their mother.

We watched two of these hyena cubs think about chasing the secretary bird. The bird knew they were there -- kept looking back over its shoulder -- but continued walking as if it couldn't be bothered with such annoyances.

I wanted to put the above scene in perspective to show the incredible diversity of species that can be seen at one time. Here, hyena family, secretary bird, and zebras. All pretty much ignoring each other.

It's very common for baboon babies to ride on their mother's rump.

A black-faced vervet monkey baby.

A golden jackal waits at the side of the road.