the non-human members of our camp
Category: life in camp | Date: Nov 21 2007 | By: admin
Life in camp is always interesting. We share our living space with a number of species, some friendly and some not so….
Maria is usually the first one to spot this member of the camp… it spends its time in trees near the central dining area of the camp (a papyrus and cedar shelter), and sometimes chases agamas around the kitchen, on the poles of the structure. Its exceptionally fast and refuses to be caught and re-located.
Maria doesn’t really like the snake. She much prefers the genets. We have at least one that usually comes to visit, and pick up scraps of food, or insects that are attracted to the light. Very occasionally there are two. They’re very graceful, delicate creatures, with their tails taking up half of their length. Interestingly, most people see them as cats, but they belong to a subfamily of Viverridae (the mongoose family). Apparently they were commonly kept as rat-catchers in Europe before the introduction of the domestic cat in the middle ages.
Last but not least, there are any number of invertebrates. Including this:
Not seeing it? Look again, on the right side of the picture, mid-way up, near the green plants. Here is a close-up:
The scorpions with the small pincers and relatively large stings (like this one) are more painful than others. We’ve all been stung from time to time and its not pleasant at all.





My name is Antony Kasanga, Lion Guardians Co-ordinator on Mbirikani Group Ranch.
My name is Eric Ole Kesoi, Lion Guardians Co-ordinator on Eselenkei and Olgulului Group Ranches.

8 Responses to “the non-human members of our camp”
Dana-Arizona, on 21 Nov 2007
I understand your worries about scorpions. Where I live in Arizona-USA this is desert country and we have many varities and I steer clear of all of them large or small :>)
Mary, on 21 Nov 2007
This is so beautiful that you share your space with all of these lovely creatures (even the scorprion)!
The genets (which are new to me) are adorable!!!
Thanks for sharing!
~Mary
F. J. PECHIR, on 21 Nov 2007
Thank you for this pics! are just nice!!
Anton Childs, on 23 Nov 2007
The snake is a Battersy’s Green Snake which is harmless, and the scorpion a Parabuthus sp. which most certainly packs a punch. Thankyou for living in harmony with all these beautiful creatures large and small.
Royjan Taylor, on 23 Nov 2007
Battersby’s Green Snake also known as the Common Grass Snake are beautiful and elegant snakes. They are harmless and so completely safe to have around.
Contact us if you have any snake questions on the above email or visit our web site http://www.bio-ken.com for more info. Keep up the good work. Royjan (Saving Snakes)
lionguardians, on 24 Nov 2007
Anton and Royjan, thanks for the diagnosis. I wouldn’t exactly say that we all of us live harmoniously with our slithering companions, but they are fascinating and really quite beautiful… great photos on your blog by the way. You should post the URL so that people get to know about it:
http://wildlifedirect.org/savingsnakes
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