MAWQUA. SKRlF-5 11. VOL. 4. NOS-
Fam. Otariidae Preliminary notes on the Arciocephalus pusillus . . Fam. Protelidae mammals of the Proieles crisiailis ... Fam. Hyaenidae Namib Desert Pzrk Hyaena brunnea ..... Crocuta crocuia ..... Fain. Rlidae Felisl~byca...... FeIis nigripes ...... Felis caracal ...... by Panthcra pardus ..... C. T. Stuart Acrt~onyxjubatus ..... Desert Ec1)logical Research Unit, F. 0.Box 953, Walvis Bay, Order TURULIDEN'TA'TA 8 7 9 South West Africa. Farn. Orycteropodidae Orycieropus aJer .....
Order HYRACOIDEA c': 'i L t Farn. Protaviidae
Procavia capensis ...v
Order PERISSODACTY LA ' -d. Fan. Rhinocerotidae CONTENTS Diceros bicornis ..... Fam. Equidae Eguus zebra Jgarimannac ... Abstract...... 6 Introduction ...... 6 Order ARTIODACTYLA '4q Systematic List ....h Farn. Suidac PIracochoeros aethiopicus . . Order I NSECTIYORA ,L?," ?& Farn. Bovidae Fam. Mucrrlscelididae Aaphicerus carnprstris ... Macroscelldes proboscideus ...... 6 Oreofragus oreofrogus ... Elephoirlullrs rupcstris ...... 7 AmtidorcasniorstdpiaIis ... Elephanlulus intmfi ...... 7 Oryx gazella . . m . . Fam. Soricidau Triigelaphus sttepsiceros ... Crocidura c,vanea ...... 7 Fam. Chrysochloridae Order LAGAMORPHA 5/19. 3 2 a Eremiialpa granii namibensis , . . . 7 Fam. Leporidae Cepus capetrsis .... Order CHIROPTERA h Pronolagus crassicaudatus . Farn. Preropodidav TT.; . J 2.3 Eidolon helrlutrr ..... Order RODENTIA Tarn. Nyctcrldac Fam. Hystricidae Nycteris flrcbaica damarensis . Hystrix africaeausiralis . , . Fam. Rhinolophidae Earn. P~tromyidae Rhinolophus darlingi damarensis . Petromus typicns ..... Fam. Molossidae Fam. Sciuridae Saurontys peirophilus erongensis . Xerusinauris...... Farn. Vespertilionidao Fam. Pcdetidae Eptesicus botlsnfofus pdlidior . Pedeles capcnsis ..... Eptesicus zuluctrsis .... Pam. Muscardinidae Mfniopierus sch rcibersi nataknsis Graphltlrus plaiyops .... Laephofis rra?rrib~nsis ... Farn Muridae Aeihornys namaque~rsis ... Order PRIMATES i9 c. 4 ThaIlomys paedulcus .... Fam. Ccrcupi thecidae Rlzahdo~nyspu~tzilia.... Pupio ursi?rr~s ..... Petror!rvsc~rscoilrr~irs .... Dt.strrod~llusuuricularis ... OrderCARN1VORA r,qf;.~v Gerbillns paeba ..... Gerbiilus vallinus .... Fam. Canidac Gerbillns setzeri ..... Otocyott trregalotis ...... S Cerbiifus iyionis ..... Ynlpcsclzarna ...... Y M11s mlrscuIus ..... Ca~rrsrnesomelas 8 ...... Railus ralius ....a. Farn. Mustelidae Icianyx strinflis . .. 8 Order CETACIA Tqqm5 Mellioora cupensis 8 ... Fam. Delphinidae Fam. Viverridae Relphinus delphis .... Genefrngcrrella. . 8 Cephalorhynchus hemisidet . . Herpestes srir~guineus... 8 Hclogaleparvula. ..S Summary' ...... CvniciisaenicilIata ...8 A~knOWredgements ..... ~uricata'suricatta ...Y References ...... ABSTRACT only a brief description of these are given (Coetzee, 19613). The Namib Desert Park is approximately The known distribution d sixty three species of 1409 500 hectarcs in extent and is bounded in the mammals occurring in the Namib Desert Park, South west by the AtIantic Ocean and in the east by the West Africa is given. Notes on the habitat prefer- escarpment. The northern and southern boundaries ences of most of the species as well as some taxo- are partially formed by the Swakop and Kuiseb nomic data are included. Rivers respectively. Much of the perimeter is fenced. Altitudes range From sea-level to approximately 1 300 metres. The mean annual rainfall varies be- tween 15 and 110 mm at two regularly attended weather stations, Gobabeb and Ganab. The variable INTRODUCTION rainfall is undoubtedly higher and lower in other areas of the Park. The main habitat types of the These notes are an attempt to list the species of Park are enurncra ted here. rnarnrnaIs known to occur in the Namib Desert Park, 1. Coastal area - lagoon and open sea. as wcll as to give some idea of their present dis- exposed mud flats and sedge tribution. The majority of records are taken from the meadow. authors field notes and others from past and present coastal hummocks. staff of DERU. A number of papers have been pub- coastal sandduncs. lished on the mammals of the Namib Desert but little has been done specifically on those species 2. Riverine - Kuiseb, Swalrop, Gaub and Khan occurring in the Park. Haacke (1963) and Holm Rivers. (l969) published papcrs on Eremitalpa granti na- The larger washes of the eastern mibensis; Sauer (1971) studied Macroscelides pro- areas. boscideus; Meestes (19631,Roer (197 1) and Setzer 3. Plains - central gravel plains. (1971) have contributed to knowledge of the Chiro- pro-Namib (eastern) plains. plera of the Park. Schlitter (1973) has examined the granite Eillocks. Gerbillus group. A number of other papers have sandy and calcrete washes. been published with general references to the mam- 4. Open scrub hill ranges. malian fauna of Namib Desert Park. Most - the savannah sandy washes. important is the paper by Coetzec (1969) on the distribution of the mammals of the Namib Desert S. Sand dunes - inter-dune valleys. and the adjoining inland escarpment. longitudinal dunes. No attempt is made to present any reproductive, The above list is intended to give an idea of the feeding or other biological data at this time but this variety of habitats available to the mammals of the data will be pubIished at a later date. Notes have Namib Desert Parlc and is not considered exhaustive, bcen added on habitats and taxonomic status how- In the systematic list to follow no mention has been ever. In some cases the author has indicated those made of species no longer occurring in the Park and sub-species which are bclicved to occur in the thus they are indicated here. Park; with other species lhis has not been attempted Loxodonta africana used to occur in both the Kuiseb because of the need For taxonomic revision of these and Swakop River courses and was recorded by groups. In such groups as the Chiroptera records Pienaar in the late eighteenth centy as occurring are meagre as species of this group are difficult to commonly in the latter. Lycaon picfus and Panthero collect and some arc only present seasonally. Further leo arc now both absent from the area but the collecting in the area, over a period of years and former may occasionally pass through the region. seasons, is essential to build up a complete and clear picture. This checklist and notes on the mamrnaIs Thc classification and namenclnture adopted in the of the Namib Desert Park is an interim list in order systematic list which Follows is with same exception that other workers in the area have access to that of Meester (1964) and Smithers (1968). material already completed. The project is expected It is hoped that this preliminary worlc will stimulate to take another three years to complete. others to investigate further. The authors sight records are indicated on the maps Order lNSECT1VORA by black dots and in some species a stippled overlay has been used to givc some idea of possible dis- Family Macrascelididae (Elephant Shrews). tribu tion limits; triangles indicate actual coIIection Macroscelides proboscidew (Shaw) Short-eared Ele- sites and squares indicate records other than those phant Shrew. of the author. In South West Africa this species is generally re- The distribution of a number of the mammalian cognised as M.p. lr~eIanotisbut thc subspecific status species occurring in the Namib Desert Parlr varies is at present unccrtain (Sauer, 1971). a great deal according to the season. The more This is a common species of the open plains, wher- obvious of these species are Ovyx gazella, Oreotra- ever granite or limestone roclcs are present to pro- gus oreatragus and Xerus inauris. vide shelter. The main area of distribution seems to The vegetation, habitats and climate of the Namib be between 22" 45' and 23" 30' S and 15" 00' and have been covered previously and for this reason 15' 35' E. Where the ground is sandy the animals MAIWdAIS. NPlMIB DESERT PARK 7 dig shallow burrows under rock shelters but have Order C HIROPTERA also hccn round living in cavities between slabs or Family Pteropodidac (Fruit Bats) on IOU. roclry outcrops (Coetzee, 1969). Eidolen helaum [Kerr) Straw-coloured Fruit Bat. Elephantulris rupesfris (A. Smith) Rock Elephant A fruit-bat of the more tropical parts of central Afri- Shrew. ca which migratcs over much of the African Conti- nent, E, heivum has been recorded for the Park by Although this spccics occurs in the same areas as Du Prcez (1968). This record is of a dead animal M. prnhuscideus they are separated by their habitat taken from the branchcs of an acacia at Gobabeb. requirements (Shortridgc, 1954). A species which seems to be restricted to the rocky hills and outcrops Family Nycteridae (Slit-Faced Bats) of the Park, Sauer (1 97 1) and Coetzec (1969) record this species from cast of 15" 15' E. Nycteris thebaica damarensis (Peters) Egyptian Slit- faced Bat. Eiephantulus intufi {A. Smith) Bushveld Elephant A fairly widespread spccies in thc Park which seems Shrcw. to occur whcrcver there are suitable roosting sites. Despite its name this species is found in rocky areas Often scen hawking insects over the water-holes in of the Park. Thus far it has not heen Found further the Icuiseb during thc carly cvcning. This species has west than 15" 15' E. E. intrrfi and E. rupestris ap- also been observed roosting in the office buildings parently occupy vcy similar habitats in the Narnib at Gobabcb. Descrt Park but as yet havc not heen trapped at the same localities. Roberts (1951) slates that in Da- Family Rhinolophidae (Horscshoe Bats) maraland and thc Narnib Desert this species takes R hinolophus darlingi damarensis ( Roberts) Darling's rcl'ugc undcr roclcs or in rock crevices, whcrcas in Horseshoe Bat. morc tvpical habitat it occurs in thornveld, living in shallow burrows amongst trce roots and scrub. This spccics is recorded by Meester (1962) From a specimen collected at Natab on thc coursc of the Family Soricidac (Shrews) Kuiseb Rivcr. It is probably far more widely dis- tributed in the Park but bccause of the inaccessibility Crncidura cya?rra (Duvernoy) Reddish-grey Musk of many of the potc~ilial roosts this and other Shrcw. rncmbcrs of the Chiroprsm are probably overlooked. This spccics sccrns to be restricted to thc riverine areas, namely the ICuiseb and Swakop Rivers. Speci- Family Molossidae (Free-tailed Bats) mcns have bcen collcctcd at Gobabcb and Homcb Saurumys petroplriius erotzgensis (Roberts) Flat- in the Kuiscb Rivcr and at Palmcnharst in the headed frcc-tailed Bat. Swakop Rivcr (Coetzee, 1969). It is probably present lhrougIlout most or the rivcrine areas as wcll as PrcviousEy it was thought that the range of this parts of the north-castern section of thc Park but is species was restricted ro the plateau of thc Erongo overlooked bccausc of its small size. Mountains, Omaruru District. (Roberts, 1951). This species was rccorded from Gobabcb by Roer (1971). Family Chrysochloridae (Golden Moles) Family Verspcrtilionidae (Simple-nosed Bats) Eremifalpu grnnti na~vibensisBaucr and Nietham- mer. Namib Descrt Goldcn Mole. Epiesictrs hottentoius pallidior (A. Smith) Long- tailed House Bat. Raucr and Nietha~nmer (1959) first this described A common bat in the Park especially along the subspccics froin owl pcllct rcmains. Further collcc- course of thc Kuiscb and Swalcop Rivers. This tians of this spccics wcrc carried out by Mccstcr species roosts in crevices in mica schis! and granite (1962) at Natnb; Ijaacke and Prozcsky (19631,Koch banks. Two specimens were found roosting in a (1 964), Goodc ( 1965) and Holm and Wautenhach hole in a silt bank at Homeb. (1967) at Gobabcb; ICoch (1966) at Soutrivier. Holm ( 1969) records E. jirunii na~rzibensisfrom r hc Kuiscb River bed. Eptcsicus zuluensis (Roberts) Aloe Bat. This animal is endemic to the Namib Desert and One specimcn has been cotlccted at Gobabeb seems to be rclativcly abundant in the sand-dune (Meestcr, 1962). There are no Further records of this areas south of Ihc Kuiseb Rivcr. It is a creaturc of specics in the Park. nocturnal activity leaving dcarly defined surface tunnels and fccding trails. Miniopterus schrcibersi natalensis (A. Smith) Schrciber's Bat Coetzee (1969) nlcritio~~sthe possibility of there being anatlier subspecies of golden mole occurring This species has bcen recorded Tor the Narnib in the area, on thc basis of difl'erunt traclts and a Dcscrt Parlt at Sandwich Harbour and Rooibank, description by Van dcr Mcrwc (1964) froin two (Mccster, 1962). The lattcr is iust outside the Park localities: Rooibanlc and the Swakop Rivcr bed. As on the Kuiscb Rivcr but this species almost certainly tar as thc author is aware this has nu1 bccn con- extends Further up the watcr coursc. Specimens Firmed. 'were also observed at Sandwich Harbour in 1973. Laephofis nunlibensis (Setzer)Long-eared Bat. probably because food is more abundant there. This spccics of bat was first described from two Shortridge (1938) mentions that C. m. uchrotcs is specimens collected at Gobabeb in 1963 (Setzer, said to forage with parties of Hyaena brunnea 1.971). L. namibensis is distinguished from L. win- along the seashore in search of dead fish and other toni by being paler in colour, having larger ears and marine refuse. larger tragus. Family Mustelidae (Polecat, Weasels, Honey Badger, Order PRIMATES Otters). Family Cercopithecidae (Baboons and Monlteys) Ictonyx strinlus (Perry) Striped Polecat. Papio ursinus (ICerr) Chacma Baboon. This species seems to have no marked habitat pre- Alexander (1838) records P, ursinus from the lower ferences and is to be found throughout the Park. Kuiseb Canyon. This species appears to be restricted Coetzee (1969) records it from all the main habitat to the Kuiseb and Swakop Rivcrs and the more typcs For the Namib. Shortridge (1934) includes the vegetated areas of the north-eastern parts of the coastal Namib and the Kuiseb River in his distribu- Park. Baboons have been observed at Salern and tion of this species. Riet on the Swakop River; and Hebron, Groot Tinkas and Arachadrnab. Metlivora capensis (Schreber) Honey Badger. There are at Ieast three troops of baboons below As with the last mentioned species, M, capensis is a the Kuiseb River-bridge and one group abovc this very adaptable animal and can be found in most point. Towards the end of 1973 thc three lower habitats. Coetzee (1969) records this species From troops totaled approximately seventy Four individ- riverine growths and the pro-Namib. It is unlikely uals, while the Hebron troop consisted of thirty-eight that it will be found living on the open gravel plains animals. or in thc coastal dune-system. Martin (1958) records this animal from the ICuiseb Canyon. The author is not aware of any recent records of M. capensis. Order CARNIVORA FamiIy Canidae (Foxes, Jackals, Dogs) Family Viverridae (Civets, Genets, Mongoose, Suri- ca tes) Otocyon lr~ugalotis(Desmarest) Bat-eared Fox. Genetta penetta (Thunberg) Small-spotted Genet. A fairly widesprcad species in the eastern half of the Park east of 15" 15' E, but nowhere common. Restricted to the Kuiseb and Swakop Rivers with This is a species associated with open plains and only one record outside these areas, (22" 46' S; 15" has not been recorded From the hilly regions of the 38' E). G. genetra is fairly common in the vicinity of Park. They are normaIIy observed in pairs or small Gobabeb where they sometimes scavenge from the family groups and several such groups arc common- dustbins. It is possible that this species is widespread ly present in the Arnichab, Hotsas ,Ganab area. in the north-castern areas of thc Park as Smjthers (1968) mentions that G. genetta is apparently in- Vulpes chama (A. Smith) Cape Fox. dependent of water. It is very likely that this species The distribution range of this species partially in- occurs at Sandwich Harbour. cludcs that of Q. megalofis but seems to extend Herpesies sanguineus (Riippcll) Slender Mongoose. further west, one animal having been observed at 23" 09' S; 14" 44' E. It seems to favour the drier There are only two definite records For this species, gravel plains and sandy washes of the central and one from Huduob on the ICuiseb River, the other western areas of thc Park. Two animals were ob- near Hebron in the north-eastern section OF the served at Natab in the Kuiseb River. There is one Park. record of this species Fsam the sand-dune area but it is very probablc that it crosses the ICuiscb River Helogale paruula (Sundcvall) Dwarf Mongoose. more frequently than observations would indicate. This species has been recorded from several areas in the Namib Desert Park but seems to be restricted to the Kuiseb and Swakop Rivers and to a few It is possible that there are two subspecies occurring granite outcrops in the eastern parts af the Park. in the Parlc. C. m. arenarum is found throughout South West Africa bui C. m. achrotes is recognised Cynictis penicillata (G. Cuvier) Yellow Mongoose. for the Namib coastal belt. The majority of animals Although Roberts recognises a number of sub- occurring at Sandwich Harbour appear to be palcr species, Lundholm (1955) states that these are all than those further inland but specimens will have synonyms of the nominate race. This is probably to be collected to confirm this. The distribution the most common mongoose in the Park occurring of C. m. achrotes is given by Meester (1964) as widely over the eastern gravel plains. It is often seen coastal Narnib Desert. in association with Suricata suricatta and Xerus This jackaI is widespread in the Park and fairly inauris and has been observed using the same holes. common in some areas. It is found in all the habitat types but seem to prefer the riverine, coastal and Suricata suriealfa (Erxleben) Suricate. grassveld habitats. Animals sccm to run singly or in Meester { 1964) and Cabsal (1971) recognise S. S. pairs, but along the coast smal t groups are obsesved marjoriae Bradfield, the type being from Saltpan, MAlrlMAIS. NA- DESERT PARK 9
ten miles north of Swakopmund. S. suricalta is outcrops on the central gravel plains. By far the found in even the most arid regions of the Slat gravel commonest smaII Felid in the Namib Desert Park, plains of the Park. The most wcstcrIy record to date this species is probably more common than obser- is the Swartbank range. It has also becn observed in vations wouId suggest. several oC the small grass/thomveld packets in the north-eastern Park. Felis rrigripes (Burchell). Black-footed Cat. The author can find no definite record of this Family Otariidae (Sea Lions). species occurring in the Park although Coekee Arctocephalus pusillus (Schreber) Cape Fur Seal. (1969) records E. de la Bat as having recorded F. nigripes This seal occurs fairly commonly at Sandwich Har- from the rocky banks of dry water courses bour. in the plains to the north of the Anachankirab hills. Smithers (1968) notes that this species seems to be Family Protel idae (Aardwol f). restricted to thc arid open plains of the central and - south-west Kalahari in Botswana. PmbIabIy very Proteles cristatus (Sparman) Aardwolf. scarce in the Namib Desert Park as it is throughout This species scerns to bc mainly restricted to the most of its range. open plains in the Zebra Pan, Ganab, Hotsas and Anachankirab areas although therc are several Felis caracal (Schreber) Caracal. records for the fairly hilly country around Hebron. Meester (1964) and Srnithers (1968) both recognise Coetzee (1969) records this species as occasionally the subspecies F, c. damarensis (Roberts). Its dis- utilizing riverine growths but thus far the Aardwolf tribution is generally recognised as being to the has not been observed in this habitat in the Narnib east of Darnaraland - but possibly occurring over Desert Park, perhaps as a rcsult of it being a spccies the whole of South West Africa. Coetzee (1969) which is not often seen. notes that this species is known from the Erongo Mountains and Kaolroveld. There are only two Family Hyacnidae (Hyaenas). known records of this species in the Park; one ani- Flyaena brunnca (Thunbcrg) Brown Hyaena. mal was observed by E. Robinson (pers. cornm.) at the southwest entrance to the Park and one animal H. brunnea is probably widespread in the Parlc but was observed between the hills near Ganab. * scarce. Thcrc are two definitc records fox thc Icuiseb River and one For the coastal area where there is an Panthera paxdus (Linnaeus) Leopard. abundance of Food. It is possible that this species is lnorc abundant along the coast; animals moving up Roberts (1951) recognises the subspecies shorlridgei U the two main water courses and then dispersing onto Pococlc, for the whole of the dry west, from South thc gravcl plains. Crocuta crocuta on thc other hand West Africa to the Limpopo valley. However, Eller- is most abundant in the eastern part of the Park man (1953) pIaces all Southern African leopards in and tends to move down the watcs courses towards the nominate race. thc coast. Thc Brown Hyaena ranges over great Coehee (1969) notes that P. pardus penetrates the distances at night searching For food; see Roberts pro-Namib from the escarpment, cspecialIy aIong (1951 ). These records are of singlc animals. the canyons and mountain chains. They are known to occur in both the Kuiseb and Swakop Canyons Crocuta crocuta (Esxleben) Spotted Hyaena. and in the mountainous areas of the north-east. E. This species is morc abundant than H. brunnea but Korkic (pcrs. comrn.) observed one animal sitting in is nowhere common. As was mentioned this animal dose proximity to a troop of baboons in the Huduob secms to occur chiefly in thc eastern areas of the area of the ICuiseb River. Tracks and scats are Parlr, cspccially on thc open plains and in thc sur- occasionally Found in the ICuiseb River-bed and two rounding hills. Several lairs are known in the iCuiseb sets of fresh tracks have Seen found in the upper Canyon and fresh tracks are oftcn found. C. crocuta areas of the Swakop River. There is one definite has been recorded from Gobabeb on several oc- record for the Hebron area in the north-east. A casions. The most westerly record is of a single small number of these animals were released in the animal recorded to the cast of the Swartbank range. ICuiseb River in the vicinity of Homeb in 1972 (J. E. Those animals occurring in thc riverine areas tend W. Dixon, pers. comm.). to run singly or in pairs whereas those on the plains often secm to run in groups of three or Four individ- Acinonyx jubatus (Schrebcr) Cheetah. uals. This species is very scarcc in the Namib Desert Park and is rarely seen. One animal has been ob- ' Family Felidae (Cats). served in the Ganab area (M. IC. Seely, pers, comm.). Felis lybica (Desrnarest) African Wild Cat. A small number of cheetah were released in the
+ Blutkoppie region in 1972, (J. E. W. Dixon, pers m This species favours areas of riverine vegetation and rocky outcrops but has also been recorded for comm.). There is one record for Sandwich Harbour, (J, the thornveld regions of the north-cast. The ltnown a single animal seen on the dune edge E. W. Dixon, pers. comrn.). dens are all in small caves in the roclcy banks of the Kuiseb River. One animal has been seen at Ana- A. lubalus is a wanderer and animals may occasion- chankirab but none have been observed on the rocky ally move into the Park from other areas. Order TUBULIDENTATA ICuiseb and Swakop Canyons. E. z, hartrnannae has Family Orycteropodidae (Antbears). also been observed in the inter-dune valleys to the south of the Kuiseb River. This specics sccrns to be Orycteropus afer albicaudus (Rothschild) Antbear. subjcct to a certain amount of local movement; now 0.a. albicaudus is the recognised subspecies occur- partially restricted by the boundary fences. The ring in South West Africa. population of this species in the Namib Desert Park is estimated at approxirnatcly one thousand animals This species is fairly widespread in the eastern by Joubert (1972). areas of the Park; especially in the Ganab. Tinkas Flats and the thornvcld regions of the north-east. Most of the records are of fresh tracks and burrow Order ARTlODACTYLA activity, however three definite sight records exist. Family Suidae (Pigs) One animal was seen in the Tinkas Flats area rnov- Phacochoeros aethiopicus shortridgei (St. Ledger) ing around during thc early afternoon, shortly after Wart hog. torrential rains, (January, 1974), while the other two animals were observed at Arachadmab. As Ellemann (1 953) and Haltenorth (1963) recognise stated by Coetzee (1969) thcir distribution is prob- shorlridgei far South West Africa. ably dependant on terntite populations. This species seems to be restricted tu the Kuiseb and Swaltop Rivcrs and to the thornvcld regions of the Order HYRACOIDAE north-east. It is nowhere common and has onty Family Procaviidae (Dassics) been observed running singly and in pairs. Procavia capensis (Pal las) Cape Dassie. Family Bovidae (Antelopes, Buffalo) Restricted lo the rocky areas of the Parlc, the mosi westerly record is OF a small tcmpurary colonjr in the Rclplricerus campestris (Zultowsky) Stccnbok. Kuiseb River at approximately 15" 05' E. Below In South Wcst Africa this spccics is generally re- Huduob in the Kuiseb River, the colonies secm to cegniscd as R, c. sfeinhardti. move about considerably: however above this point the groups seem to bc rnore stablc. All colonies en- This antelope occurs in both the Swakop and I{uiseb countered seem to bc small. P, capensis also occurs Rivers but is cspecially common in the latter. They along the course of the Swakop River and on the also seem to be Fairly common in parts of the north- rocky outcrops of thc north-east. Animals have aIso east, and have bccn recorded from Anachanltirab, been recorded at the Tumasberg, Arnichab, Hein- Zebra Pan, Turnasberg, Ganab. Arachadmab and richsbcrg, Langer Heinrich and Anachankirab. Groot Tinkas. Coctzee (2969)notes that this species was numerous in certain outcrops the year following good rains, however after two years thc animals had complctcly This species is confined to rocky outcrops and to disappeared. The author has notcd large deposits of the Kuiseb and Swakop Canyons. Klipspringer are faeces of this specics in two localities where thcre often encountered in thc scattercd rocky hills situat- were no signs of recent activity. ed out on the gravel plains, but these animals are probably subjcct to a certain anlourlt of local move- ment. The most westerly record For this specics is 15" 06' E in the Kuiseb Rivcr. It is most commonly Family Rhinocerotidae (Rhinoceros) encountered in the Kuiscb where it leaves the Diceros bicornis (Cinnaeus) Black Rhinoceros. canyon walls to feed on the riverine vegetation. Alexander (2838) records the Following for this Thcy are usually observed in groups OF two to fo~tr spccies in the Kuiscb Rivcr: 'Thc remains of a dead aninrals. rhinoceros werc found near us, which seemed to have bccn surprised by the suddcn rising of thc river Antidorcas rnarsupialis (Zimmermann) Springbok. and drowned.' The brothersvan Reenen and Pieter Recognised as A, m. angolensis Blaine, in South Picnaar cxplorcd and hunted in the Swakop Rivcr West Africa, this species is fairly widespread in the in 1791, or thereabouts, and came across large num- Parlr cspccially in ihc eastern areas. Herds of more bers of elephant and rhinoccros (in Lcvinson, 1961). than fit'tcen animals have not bccn observed west of Coctzcc (1969) records B. de la Bat as having in- Anachankirab but smaller groups and single animals formed him of a well prescrvcd rhinoccros horn that have been noted as far west as the Hamilton Range. was excavated ncar Ti nlras water-hole, This species used to occur naturally, along thc courses of the It is very possible that occasionally animals move as Kuiseb and Swakop Rivcrs; il has since been re- far as Sandwich Harbour. The larger herds are introduced to the Kuiseb River. usually obscrved in the Ganab, Hotsas and Tinkas Flats areas, although groups of up to seventy animals Farni ly Equidae (Zebras) have been notcd in the Anachankirab and Zebra Pan regions. Two rams have bccn seen twelve miles Equus zebra haxfrnannae (Matchie) Hartmann's south of the Kuiseb River in one of the dune-vallcys. Mountain zebra. The author estimates the present springbok popu- Zebra arc Found in most of the availabtc habitats, lation in the Park to be betwcen 1 500-2 000 in- especially the rocIcy hills, the open plains, and she dividuals. MAMMALS. NAMIB DESERT PARK 11
Oryx gazelle (Linnaeus) Gemsbok. Order RQDENTIA This species is widely distributed in the Parlr, mov- Family Hystricidae (Porcupine) ing about a great deal. During the dry season fairly Hystrix af ricaeaustralis (Peters) Porcupine. large numbers arc to be seen in the Kuiseb River area and on the plains to the east of Anachankirab, A not uncommon species in the Park but one that at the onset of the rains they tend to disperse. Most is in frequentIy encountered. Thc most westerly rec- groups number between five and thirty animals, ord for this species in thc Park is at 22" 48' S; 14' however one herd of one hundred and eighty-three 46' E. This species is present in both the main water individuals were observed at Arachadmab. Lone courses, the north-eastern areas and some of the animals are frequently encoun teted throughout the granite outcrops on the gravel plains. Quills and area. The author estimates the gemsbok population tracks are often the only indication of their presence. at approximately 2 000 - 2 500 animals. Family Petromyidae (Rock Rats) Tragelaphus strepsiceros (Pallas) TCudu. Petromus typicus (A. Smith) Rock Rat. This large antelo~eis restricted to the two main There are a number of forms described for this water cGurscs aid the eastern thornveld regions. species in the Namib Desert but it is unlikely that The majority of the population is situated to the these are all valid. This is a common animal in the east of 15" 25' E. Animals have been recorded at rocky areas of the Park and it is often encountered. Blutlroppie and Groot Tinkas. Van der Spug (1962) states that kudu occur in the following habitat types Family Sciuridae (Squirrels) in the Namib; Narnib sand-dune veld, Narnib rubble- Xerus inauris (Zirnmermann) Ground Squirrel. veld and the Namib Desert margin. It is unlilcely that there is zl permanent lrudu population jn the first A common species of the plains and the inter-hill mentioned habitat in the Namib Desert Park; ani- valleys but has also bc~nobserved in the rocky mals may move into the area Following fresh vege- areas of the north-east on a number of occasions. tation growth. It is nowhere common and the popu- So far it has not been found west of 15" 20' E. lation is probably in the vicinity of one hundrcd X,inauris is subject to a great deal of IocaI move- individuals. However, kudu are subject to a great ment and this is especially noticeabIe in the Ganab deal of local movement and it is difficult to give an area. During and, far several months, after the rainy accurate estimate of numbers. season large numbers of this species move out onto the open plains, but as the vegetation begins to die Order LAGOMORPHA off they move back into ihc inter-hill valleys. Most of the colonies on the plains seem to number from Family Leporidae (Hares) between five and fifteen animals whereas those Lepus capensis (Linnaeus) Cape Hare. occurring in the roclry hills rarely number more than five individuals. L. c. nsrranus Thomas is still n recognised farm for the Namib Desetf and its original distribution was Family Pcdetidae (Spring Hares) given as the Namib Desert by Koberts (1951). Speci- mens were described from Rooibank in the Kuiseb Pedetes capensis damare~lsis(Roberts) Spring Hare. (type), Swalcopmund, Karub and Okombahe on the Thc subspecies darnarensis is recognised for Dama- Omaruru River. This is a very pale form and is raland. At present there are only three records of probably the subspecies found in the Namib Desert this specics in the Parlr; onc from the Ganab area, Park as a whole. a second from the sandylthornveld of the north-east while the third animal was observed in the Anachan- This species is found commonly on the open gravel lrirab area (E. Robinson, pers. cornm.). The animals plains and in the thornveld regions of the north- were all observed in the vicinity of wide, sandy east; in addition to Coetzee's (1969) locality records washes. they have been found to be fairly plentiful in the sand-dune areas south of the Kuiseb River, Short- Family Muscardinidae (Dormouse) ridge (1938) gives the distribution of L. c. narranus as being "the low scrub in the beds of sand rivers Graphiurus plaiyops (Thomas) Rock Dormouse. in the Narnib Desert'. He also states that L. capensis Thus far there are only two records of this species avoids hills and the narrow inter-hill valleys. How- in the Park; one animal was collected in the Ana- ever, this species has becn observed in the small chankirab range and ihe skeletal remains of another inter-hill valleys in the north-east. specimen were discovered at Hcinrichsberg. Both records were taken in very broken granite sIides. Pronolagus crassicaudatw (I. Geoffrey) Red Rock This species probably occurs throughout the rocky Hare. areas of the Namib Desert Park. Coetzee (1969) The subspecific status of this species is at present does not include this species in his list of the mam- uncertain. Restricted to the hills and roclry outcrops mals of the Namib Desert of the Park, it is probably more widespread than present records indicate. P. crnssiccrudatus seems to Family Muridae {Rats and Mice) be fairly common in parts of the Kuiseb Canyon Aethomys nornaquensis (A. Smith) Namaqua Rock and also in the rocky areas of the northeast. Rat. Two subspecies are present in the Usakos District Gerbillus vallinus (Thomas) Brush-tailed Gerbil. close to the northern boundary of the Namib Desert Coetzee (1969) records this species as occurring in Park. They are A. n. siccatus and A. n. namibensis; thc sand-dunes as well as on the gravel plains in the although the subspecific status of animals occurring Namib. It is most frequently encountered on the in the Parlr is uncertain. Mcestcr (1963) considers gravel plains in the Anachankirab area. A. n. namibensis to be a synonym of A. n. siccalus. This species appears to be fairly common in areas Gerhillus setzeri Schli tter. of suitabIe habitat, that is roclcy hiltsides. It has not This is a new spccies recently described by Schlitter been collected west of 15" 30' E. (1972), and animals of this species were collected from the following areas within the Parlc; Gobabeb, Thallomys paedulcus (de Winton) Black-tailed Tree Swartbank, Tumasbcrg and Hope Mine. Rat. Gerbillus tylonis (Bauer and Niethamrner). Roberts (1951) gives the distribution of T. p, dama- rensis (T.damarensis darnorensis) as the western Bauer and Nicthammer (1959) originally described edge of Darnaraland, bordering the Namib. As noted this animal as a sub-species of G. nullinus, however by Coetzce (1969),this species secms to be restricted Davjs (1968) has raised it to specific status, The to Acacia giraffae trees in the Namib. To date this only specimens known to the author are those col- rodent has only bcen found in the I
Figure 1. Map of the Namib Desert Park. Figure 2. Macroscelides proboscideus
@ Authors sight recotds Sight records, other than those of the author A Collected specimens
\ Figure 3. Elephaniulm rupestris Figure 4. Elepkantu!us itriufi Figure 5. Crocidura cyanca Figure 6. Eremifalpa granii rrnnribe~rsis Figure 7. Eidolon helz~um MAMMALS. NAMTB DESERT PARfL
Figure 8. Nycten's ihebaica damarensis Figure 9. Rhinolophlrs darlingi damarensis Figure 10. Sanronrys pelrophilus crorrgensrs Figure 11. Epiesicus huttenlotus pallidior Figure 12. Epfesicus zulnerisis Figure 13. Minioplerus schreibcrsi natalensis MAMMAtS. NAMm DESERT PARK
Figure 14. Laephoiis ~arniberrsis Figure 15: Papio ursi~us
Figure 18. Canis mesornelm Figure 19. Icionyx slrialus MAMMRIS, NAMfB DESERT PARK 33
Figure 20. Geneila geneifa Figure 2 1. Herpesies sanguineus MAMMAIS. NA?XlE D-RT PARK 35
Figure 22. Helogale parvula fl DESERT PARK
Figure 23. Cynictis penicillala MAMMALS. SA- DESERT PARK 37
Figure 24. Suricata suricasta
MAMMALS. VAWTR DESERT PARK 39
Figure 26. Hyaetta bxunnea Figure 27. Crocuta crocuta Figure 28. Felis libyca Figure 29. Fefis caracal MAMMAIS. NAMfB DESERT PARK 43
Figure 30. Pantheru pardus Figure 31. Acinonyx jubatus hlhMMAIS. NAMIB DESERT PARK 45
Figure 32. Orycteropus ofer Figure 33. Procauia cnpensis hrA#MALS, NAMIB DFSERT PARK 47
Figure 34. Equ~zebra Ilurl~llurrr>ne Figure 35. Phncuckoeros aeiltiopicus Figure 36. RnpJricer~rsritlripr\lris Figure 37. Oreatrrrgtrs ori?oirogus MAMMALs. NAMIB DESERT PARK 51
Figure 38. Antidorcos morsupiaIis
MAMMAL!, WAMIB DESERT PARK 53
Figure 40. Tragelaphus slrepsiceros Figure 41. Lepus capensis
Figure 45. Xerus inauris MAMMALS. NAMm DESERT PARR 59
Figure 46. Pedefes capensis Figure 47. Graphiurus platyops Figure 48. Aelhomys narnaque?zsis Figure 49. Thallomys paudulcus
Figure 51. Pelromyscus col/inus Figure 52. Desmodillus uuricularis Figure 53. CjerbiIlus pacba