Black-backed
Jackal
Although renowned as carrion scavengers, Jackals are relentlessly hunted by
farmers due to stock depredation. Other food includes small antelope,
mongooses, rodents, small reptiles, insects, scorpions and spiders. They
prefer drier habitats like bushveld, savanna and grassland.
Hyena- Brown and Spotted
Brown Hyenas are smaller and less aggressive than their more familiar cousin, the Spotted
Hyena. Both are found in desert, semi-desert, dry savanna, open scrub and open
woodland and rocky hills with brush. Although carrion is preferred, small prey of
all types are taken. Hyenas can often be heard howling at dusk, and it is the
Spotted Hyena with the laughing whoop.
Caracal Unmistakable by the tufts of hair on the tips of their ears, caracals are
solitary and seldom seen during the day. Adept tree climbers and agile on the ground,
Caracals have a reputation as stock killers, although this is not their preferred prey.
They appear to be important in controlling populations of Dassies.
African Wild Cat Similar to the domestic cat but slightly larger (10-15 lb. (5-7 kg), 22-28
inches (56-71 cm) body length plus an extra 12 inches (30 cm) for tail). These wild
cats are found in many habitats feeding on mice, birds, insects, amphibians, and even
small stock and poultry. Variation in color is such that the cats can be steel
gray or rusty brown, or even a goldish red color.
Cheetah
The cheetah is renowned for its speed (over 75-100km/h), this is probably the fastest
animal on earth. Feeding on small to medium antelope, ostrich, warthogs, porcupines, and
other mammals, cheetahs may hunt singly or in a pack.
Civet
The Civet is omnivorous, eating everything from insects to fruit, fish, grass, and even
small calves and domestic cats. They are nocturnal and prefer lots of surface water.
Musk from the Civet once was important in the perfume trade.
Genet Genets are small cats, nocturnal and solitary, preferring woodland habitats.
Two types are found in Namibia, the Large Spotted and Common. Their omnivorous diet
includes small mammals, birds, invertebrates, fruit, carrion, and even poultry.
Leopard
The largest of the spotted cats in Africa, Leopards are secretive and solitary.
Preferring forests and hilly areas, Leopards may be found in a wide variety of
habitats excluding arid deserts without water. Small to medium sized antelope and
occasionally larger antelope, baboons, warthogs, and even domestic dogs are part of their
varied diet.
Lion
Prides of lions may have up to 30 individuals, in a wide range of habitats from desert to
dense bush. the female lionesses are the predominant hunters of the pride, and
although the wildebeest is favored, anything that moves may be taken by this largest of
the African predators, from mice to elephants or buffalo.
Mongoose
Several types of Mongooses are found in Namibia. These small agile predators feed on
insects such as termites and beetles, small reptiles and rodents, birds, eggs, carrion,
and even fruit. Some species are nocturnal (White-tailed) and some are diurnal (Slender,
Banded), and the Water mongoose is found mainly in marshes while other species are found
from deserts to rain forests, plains to mountains, open woodlands and grasslands (Dwarf
Mongoose) and even in close proximity to man.
Serval These rare cats with long legs, short tails, and attractive markings are solitary
and nocturnal. They prefer mammal prey, including small antelope lambs, birds,
reptiles, fish, and even domestic poultry. They are dependent on a water supply and
shelter such as high grass or undergrowth.
