What Feline And Canine Species Am I Likely To See In Botswana?

             

             The wildlife reserves of northern Botswana and the Okavango River Delta support one of the world's last great assemblages of free-ranging mammals. Feline and  canine species are the dominant predators.Of course, all tourists go to Africa to see one species:the lion, "the king of the jungle" actually most often found in grasslands and brushy areas. You will see many prides of females and cubs lolling about in the midday made.Males are seen much-less often, but are heard roaring at night.
             
             Mostly nocturnal leopards are infrequently seen by roadsides, but spend  most of their time in trees. Their dark rosettes on tawny background fur are unmistakable.Spotted cheetahs are the most dog-like-looking of Africa's cats, with long legs and slim faces. Unlike other cats, they hunt mainly by day, chasing down impalas at legendary speeds.

             The medium-sized long-legged several cat with huge ears is primarily
nocturnal, and thus hard to spot.

             Northern Botswana is one of the last strongholds of the endangered wild dog. The slender, long-legged, spotted dog forms packs of 6 to 15 to hunt ungulates by day.

             There are two species of jackals in the region: the side-striped,
with white stripes along its flanks; and the black-backed, with a dark saddle. Jackals are an oft-seen camp ground pest. A fellow camper and I had our sandals chewed up after we unwisely left them outside our tents.

             Bat-eared foxes are so named for the enormous ears with which they
detect nocturnal prey.

             Spotted hyenas are similar to but not true canines. They are large and stocky with sloping backs and spotted hides. They hunt in nocturnal packs dominated by a matriarch -- while emitting their famous "laughing" bark.