Carruthers - The Wildlife of Southern Africa

Reference map for species distribution

This map shows nine broad distribution regions superimposed over the national and provincial boundaries. Species descriptions throughout the book make reference to these regions. (See .) The larger illustrated guide to the
animals and plants of the region Edited by Vincent Carruthers Struik Nature
(an imprint of Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd)
Reg. No. 1966/003153/07
Wembley Square, First Floor, Solan Street, Cape Town, 8001
PO Box 1144, Cape Town, 8000 South Africa Visit us at www.randomstruik.co.za First published by Southern Book Publishers (Pty) Ltd in 1997,
and subsequently by Struik Publishers in 2000.
This larger-format edition first published by Struik Publishers in 2008.
This eBook edition 2012 Copyright in text, 1997, 2000, 2008: Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd Copyright in illustrations, 1997, 2000, 2008: Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd,
with the exception of fish illustrations South African Institute for Biodiversity, 1997, 2000, 2008 Copyright in published edition, 1997, 2000, 2008: Random House Struik (Pty) Ltd Original concept: Alix Gracie
Updated design: Robin Cox
Editor of original edition: Marina Pearson
Editor of updated edition: Gill Gordon
Illustrators: Penny Meakin, Ken Newman, Elsa Pooley,
Elizabeth Tarr, Michael Thayer, Dave Voorvelt All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder(s).

ISBN: 978 1 77007 199 5 (Print)
ISBN: 978 1 92057 219 8 (ePub)
ISBN: 978 1 92057 220 4 (PDF) Also available in Afrikaans as
Die Natuurlewe van Suider-Afrika ISBN: 978 1 77007 646 4 (Print)
ISBN: 978 1 92057 221 1 (ePub)
ISBN: 978 1 92057 222 8 (PDF)

AUTHORS Peter Apps Bill Branch Vincent Carruthers Astri Leroy Michael Musgrave Ken Newman Elsa Pooley Christine Read Paul Skelton ILLUSTRATORS Penny Meakin Ken Newman Elsa Pooley Elizabeth Tarr Michael Thayer Dave Voorvelt The original inspiration for an all-encompassing field guide came from Ken Newman while we were discussing wildlife books on the banks of the Palala River. This edition is dedicated to his memory. VINCENT CARRUTHERS Compiling a guide of this nature has required an unusually wide range of expertise and the editors, authors and artists have drawn on many different people and sources for assistance. We are extremely grateful to the following for their invaluable contributions: Louise Grantham, Rene Ferreira, Marina Pearson, Kate Rogan and Kim Sharp provided essential publishing, editorial and proofreading expertise. Jane Carruthers suggested excellent editorial improvements as well as giving continuous encouragement throughout the books development. Valuable advice on moths was received from Neville Duke.

Rosemary Peter assisted the artist with the illustrations of ticks. Astri Leroy thanks Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman and Annette van den Berg of the Plant Protection Research Institute of the Agricultural Research Council who helped with the identification of spiders, as well as all those who assisted on field trips, especially her husband, John Leroy. Bill Branch would like to thank Dove. Frances Perryer meticulously edited the chapter on freshwater fishes. The writing and illustrating of the botanical chapters were greatly assisted by Guy Berry, Neil Crouch, Tansa Clare, Di Dold, Judy and Humphrey Hollis, Geoff Nichols, Nic Stamatis, Rosemary Williams, the Natal Herbarium, and the Wildlife and Environment Society (Natal Branch). The author of these chapters is especially indebted to her family, Tony, Simon, Justin and Thomas Pooley.

First edition, 1997 It is a tribute to the complexity of nature that scientists constantly need to revise the naming and classification of wildlife. More than 500 of the names in this field guide have been amended since its first publication a decade ago. Keeping abreast of the changes called for the expertise and support of Bill Branch (reptiles), Kaera Coetzer (birds and botany), Louis du Preez (frogs), Astri Leroy (spiders), Mike Picker (insects and other invertebrates) and Paul Skelton (fish), whose assistance is gratefully acknowledged. I would also like to thank Pippa Parker, Robin Cox and Gill Gordon whose publishing, design and editing skills contributed so much to the improvements in this new edition. Vincent Carruthers
September 2007

This book has been written for all who enjoy nature and seek to learn about it. Its primary purpose is to enable readers to identify and name the wild plants and animals that they are most likely to find in southern Africa.

The enormous wealth and diversity of wildlife in this subcontinent have long fascinated naturalists and scientists, and the national parks and nature reserves of the region have become internationally renowned. In the past, the reputation of these conserved areas rested mainly on the big game species but today many people are aware of - and more interested in - the entire diversity of nature and the complex plant and animal communities that constitute the ecosystem. Literature on the wildlife of southern Africa is extensive and field guides are available for almost every group of plants or animals. However, a trip to the bush or a backpacking hike needs to be accompanied by a small library of publications if one is to study the tremendous variety of nature that might be encountered. The Wildlife of Southern Africa attempts to resolve this problem by providing holiday-makers and visitors from abroad with a simple, single-volume field guide to species they might see. People with particular interests, such as birding, will doubtless use their specialist field guides, while this book will throw light on the myriad other life forms that are inevitably exposed.

For serious naturalists, and even professional scientists, it is hoped that the book will serve as an elementary field reference for observations that can be substantiated later in more formal works. For gardeners, farmers, teachers and hikers this book is intended to enhance their knowledge and enjoyment of their surroundings.

Comprehensive coverage of all the tens of thousands of species in southern Africa is clearly impossible. However, The Wildlife of Southern Africa is intended to ensure that all life forms that are likely to be encountered will be identifiable and that descriptions are precise enough for confident identification. To achieve this aim, several techniques and principles have been adopted: The following life forms are excluded from the definition of southern African wildlife: Next page