Skip to content
  • 1 800 414 3090
  • info@africansafarico.com
Facebook Linkedin-in Instagram
Inquire now
  • African Safaris
  • Marine Safaris
  • Travel Styles
  • Parks
  • Stories
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • African Safaris
  • Marine Safaris
  • Travel Styles
  • Parks
  • Stories
  • About
  • Contact
  • African Safaris
  • Marine Safaris
  • Travel Styles
  • Parks
  • Stories
  • About
  • Contact
Menu
  • African Safaris
  • Marine Safaris
  • Travel Styles
  • Parks
  • Stories
  • About
  • Contact
Inquire now
  • November 12, 2019

Things that go bump in the bush!

African safari goers are often drawn in by the big guys, the ones with fur and tusks, those who move with majesty and grace. As guides, we frequently hear cries for the Big 5, but little do safari adventurers realize is that there is a whole menagerie of weird and truly wonderful creatures just waiting to steal the show – the lesser-known, but no less marvelous, ‘Small 5000’.

 

 

 

 

Now 5000 is not a precise species count (were we to start counting we would be laughably short of the mark), but we can definitely say there is an incredible and diverse array of small creatures just waiting to be discovered! So come and join us around the campfire to learn more about our spookier residents and their dastardly habits… but be warned, life in the wild is not for the faint of heart, it might not seem like it but these creatures will get your Halloween chills up and running!

 

 

 

 

Red velvet mites are fascinating creatures. They look, to the untrained eye, a bit like a furry strawberry on legs. These wonders are seldom seen and when they are, they turn the head of even those not typically ‘arthopodically inclined’. But don’t let yourself be fooled, although they appear sweet and fluffy these animals are anything but!

As an intrinsic part of their life cycle, the larvae need to find an insect host, climb onto its back, drill a hole through its exoskeleton and feed on the (still living) insect’s bodily fluids! Whilst it is being quietly sucked dry, the insect is still mobile – this is key for the mite’s survival – allowing it to end up far from where it originally hatched, therefore reducing competition for food and living space. Once it has drunk its vampiric fill, the larva will drop off and pupate into a nymph where it transforms into an active predator and preys on every insect it can find!

 

 

 

 

Once it has fed until sated, the mite enters a dormant stage before transforming into an adult. Intriguingly, the adult is typically a less voracious predator than the nymph, focusing its diet on arthropods and their eggs, and, in this part of the world, they are especially fond of ants and termites. They spend large periods of the year inactive underground and are typically spotted at the surface after it rains. In some areas adult mites may only forage for a few hours per year!

Aside from their carnivorous habits these mites have a romantic side. Their mating rituals are seldom seen but carefully choreographed. First comes the courtship where the mites become acquainted by circling one another, tapping with their forelegs. Meanwhile the male has already deposited a spermatophore (a sperm filled parcel) onto a bed of leaves and twigs and laid down a silk trail leading to the prize. When the female has indicated her acceptance of the courting male (which presumably chiefly comprises of not eating him) he leads her down his silken trail and stops when she is positioned directly over the parcel. The parcel is hooked to her underside and the sperm fertilize her eggs. After mating she can lay as many as 100,000 eggs, enabling the whole cycle to start over again.

 

 

 

 

Few creatures in life can claim quite as many phobias created as spiders. The next character we explore is the banded-legged nephila. My favorite description of this spider has to be that it is “non-aggressive and relatively harmless”. A description which is usually followed by the disclaimer that it can deliver a painful bite if “severely provoked”. Its venom is not considered serious and merely causes redness and blistering (that well-known “harmless” symptom)!

 

 

 

 

Commonly known as a golden orb-web spider these arachnids are easily recognized by the golden-yellow color of their webs. This is believed to serve two (nefarious) purposes. First, it helps the web to blend with the surrounding foliage when it is cast by shadows, ensnaring unsuspecting insect prey. Secondly, and conversely, when in the sun it is thought to attract bees due to their preference for the color yellow.

Females are noticeably larger than their male counterparts who need to remain constantly alert to avoid being eaten by the ladies. Post-coitus cannibalism is common with this species. To avoid coming to a sticky end the males will often distract the females with a food offering or wait until she is consuming a meal before sidling in to fertilize her and then retreating to a safe distance, living to see another dawn!

 

by Sophie Barrett, guide at Garonga

Are you ready for your next big adventure? Inquire now

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Get in touch

Contact us today

Let our Africa and Latin America travel experts start putting together the perfect itinerary for your next big adventure! Call or email us to schedule a meeting to discuss your dream safari or tour.

Address: 1752 NW Market St # 520 Seattle, WA, 98107

Email Address: info@africansafarico.com

Telephone: 1 800 414 3090

Who we support

African Safaris

  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris
  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris

Latin America

  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours
  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours

Highlights

  • Beach
  • Cape Town
  • Culture
  • Gorillas & Chimps
  • Great Migration
  • Victoria Falls
  • Wine
  • Beach
  • Cape Town
  • Culture
  • Gorillas & Chimps
  • Great Migration
  • Victoria Falls
  • Wine

Travel Styles

  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon
  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon

Information

  • When To Travel
  • Travel Protection
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Details
  • Stories
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • When To Travel
  • Travel Protection
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Details
  • Stories
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

African Safaris

  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris
  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris

Latin America

  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours
  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours

Highlights

  • Beach
  • Cape Town
  • Culture
  • Gorillas & Chimps
  • Great Migration
  • Victoria Falls
  • Wine
  • Beach
  • Cape Town
  • Culture
  • Gorillas & Chimps
  • Great Migration
  • Victoria Falls
  • Wine

Travel Styles

  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon
  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon

Information

  • When To Travel
  • Travel Protection
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Details
  • Stories
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • When To Travel
  • Travel Protection
  • Who We Are
  • Contact Details
  • Stories
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
© 2023 African Safari Company
Join our mailing list
Facebook-f Linkedin-in

Sign up to our mailing list

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest safari news, exclusive offers and more!

Marine Safari
Destinations

Marine Adventure
Destinations

  • Madagascar Safaris
  • Maldives Safaris
  • Mauritius Safaris
  • São Tomé and Principe Safaris
  • Seychelles Safaris
  • Madagascar Safaris
  • Maldives Safaris
  • Mauritius Safaris
  • São Tomé and Principe Safaris
  • Seychelles Safaris

National Parks
and Reserves

Explore Parks

Botswana

Chobe National Park
Kalahari Desert
Linyanti Private Reserve
Makgadikgadi Pans
Mashatu Game Reserve
Moremi National Park
Nxabega Concession
Okavango Delta
Savute Region
Selinda Concession

Kenya

Amboseli National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Masai Mara Game Reserve
Meru National Park
Nairobi National Park
Samburu National Park
Shaba National Park
Tsavo West National Park

Mozambique

Gorongoza National Park

Namibia

Damaraland
Etosha National Park
Skeleton Coast
Sossusvlei

Rwanda

Nyungwe Forest National Park
Volcanoes National Park

South Africa

Grootbos Nature Reserve
Isimangoliso Wetlands Park
Kapama Private Reserve
Kwandwe Private Reserve
KwaZulu Natal
Madikwe Game Reserve
Phinda Private Reserve
Sabi Sands Reserve
Thanda Private Reserve
Thornybush Game Reserve
Timbavati Reserve
Valley of 1000 Hills

Tanzania

Arusha National Park
Lake Eyasi
Lake Manyara National Park
Mahale Mountains
Ngorongoro Crater
Saadani National Park
Selous Game Reserve
Serengeti National Park
Tarangire National Park

Uganda

Bwindi National Park
Kasanka National Park
Kibale Forest National Park
Lake Mburo National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park

Zambia

Kafue National Park
Lochinvar National Park
Lower Zambezi National Park
North Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa National Park
Tsika Island
Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe

Gonarezhou National Park
Hwange National Park
Mana Pools National Park
Victoria Falls

Safaris by
Travel Style

Safaris by
Travel Style

  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon
  • Sustainability & Conservation
  • Exclusively Yours
  • Bush & Beach
  • Explorer
  • Family
  • Highlights
  • Romance & Honeymoon

Latin America
Destinations

Latin America
Destinations

  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours
  • Ecuador Adventure Tours
  • Galapagos Adventure Tours
  • Peru Adventure Tours

African Safari
Destinations

African Safari
Destinations

  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris
  • Botswana Safaris
  • Congo Safaris
  • Egypt Safaris
  • Kenya Safaris
  • Morocco Safaris
  • Mozambique Safaris
  • Namibia Safaris
  • Rwanda Safaris
  • South Africa Safaris
  • Tanzania Safaris
  • Zambia Safaris
  • Zimbabwe Safaris