Page 354 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

352  THE ARID INTERIOR

Life in the Desert

The Kalahari Desert forms part of a vast inland steppe
that stretches from the Orange River to the equa tor.
It extends across portions of the Northern Cape and
Namibia, and also covers much of Botswana. Rainfall
in this region varies from 150mm to 400 mm (6–16
inches) per year and is soon soaked up or simply
evaporates. There is little surface water and the flora
consists mainly of grass, shrubs and the hardy camel- Seasonal river beds, such as that of
thorn acacias that line the dry beds of ancient rivers. the Auob, carry water only every few
years, usually after exceptionally
Although the landscape may appear to be lifeless, it heavy downpours.
supports an astonishing variety of wildlife that is
superbly adapted to survive in this harsh environment.
The quiver contains arrows poisoned
with the juice of beetle larvae.

The gemsbok (oryx)
feeds on grass, leaves and
roots, and can do
without water for
many days. The
animal’s tempera-
ture fluctuates in
response to climat ic
changes: during the
day it may soar to
above 45°C (113°F).

Bat-eared foxes’
large ears allow them
to detect under-
Kalahari lions are unique to the Kgalagadi ground prey, such as
Transfrontier Park, and have learned to depend harvester termites
on smaller prey, taking porcupines and and beetle larvae, in
bat-eared foxes when antelopes migrate. the barren areas.

The brown hyena is
primarily a scavenger,
but it also eats wild fruit,
beetles, termites, birds’
eggs and small animals.
Restricted to the drier
desert regions of south-
ern Africa, it can survive The Tsamma melon’s bitter-tasting flesh is
without fresh water for eaten by the San and by animals, as it is a
extended periods of time. vital source of vitamin C and moisture.

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