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Best 5 common animals in Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe
Best 5 common animals in Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe include; the Blue Duiker, the Sable, the Bushbuck, an occasional Leopard and the rarely seen Klipspringer.
Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe is located in the southernmost area of the Eastern Highlands, around 150 km from Mutare. The Park which shares a border with Mozambique is still very untamed and pristine, unspoiled, with scenic views and, lush woodlands and gushing streams.
The Blue Duiker in Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe
The blue duiker is a very small herbivorous mammal, which inhabits the thickest coastal forests in western, southern and eastern Africa. Females are bigger than males; males weigh around 4 kg while females weigh around 4.7 kg. Both sexes possess short, sharp horns measuring at 5 cm long hidden under short hair in females and both males and females have a 10 cm long tail. They have a light eye-brow ridge, which curves up to the base of the horns, and a glandular slit beneath their eyes. They are covered by a blue-grey coat, while underparts; inner legs and the rump of the tail are whitish.
The Sable in Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe
The sable is a rotund, barrel-chested antelope with a short neck, long face, and dark mane. Both males and females boast impressive ringed horns that rise vertically and curve backward. This flexed-neck position makes sables appear larger than they really are. The males maintain this position even when they gallop, as the arched neck is an important manifestation of dominance.
As they grow older, sables change color. Calves are born reddish-brown, with virtually no markings. As they age, the white markings appear, and the rest of the coat gets darker — the older the animal, the more striking the contrast.
The Bushback in Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe
The bushbuck is an antelope with geometrically shaped white patches or spots on the most mobile parts of its body — the ears, chin, tail, legs, and neck. Male bushbucks have horns, and grow straight back. At 10 months, young males sprout strongly twisted horns that form the first loop of a spiral at maturity.
Leopards in Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe
Leopards love this habitat, but are rarely seen, eland were once common in the hills and plateaus of Chimanimani.These large carnivores are powerfully built with long bodies, relatively short legs, and a broad head. There are nine subspecies and are distinguished by the unique characteristics of their coats, which range from tawny or light yellow in warm, dry habitats to reddish-orange in dense forests. Their coat is covered in dark, irregular spots called rosettes.
Klipspringers in Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe
Klipspringers are stocky antelopes with a short neck and body, and large hindquarters, which help it jump from rock to rock. Their ears are rounded and large, and their tails are small and rudimentary. Their hoof structure is unique because the last joints of the digits are rotated so klipspringers can walk on the tips of their hooves. Walking wears down the hooves giving them a cylindrical shape, which is suitable for a lifestyle on the rocks. Klipspringers secrete pheromones from their preorbital glands, which are narrow black slits found in the corner of their eyes. The scent glands are more developed in males than females.
My Conclusion on 5 most common animals in Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe
Chimanimani National Park is not commonly known for wildlife but the few which are there are worth to have a trip to Chimanimani, so please im encouraging you to book your vacation with KUBWAFIVE SAFARIS for a thrilling vacation.