I’m sure many of our guests have had the pleasure of meeting our resident Queen at Vuyani Safari Lodge. She roams the surrounds with a certain majestic flamboyance about her. Let me introduce you to Savanna, a domesticated African Wild Cat.
The African Wild Cat species is on the decline due to what is called “Genetic Pollution” this term however is rather controversial and refers to uncontrolled gen flow in wild populations.
There are a couple of characteristic traits that the African Wild Cat possesses other than your domestic cat, there are quite a few that can be seen if you look at Savanna, however we believe she is not a True African Wild Cat.
The fur colour of the African wildcat is light sandy grey, and sometimes with a pale yellow or reddish tinge. The ears are reddish to grey, with long light yellow hairs around the auricle. Stripes around the face are dark tawny to black: two are running horizontally on the cheek, and four to six across the throat. A dark stripe is running along the back, the flanks are lighter, and the belly is whitish. Pale vertical stripes on the sides often dissolve into spots. Two dark rings are on the forelegs, and hind legs are striped. The feet are dark brown to black.
The African wildcat eats primarily rodents and other small mammals. When the opportunity arises, it also eats birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. This is seen in and round the lodge quite often as Savanna chases the Gecko’s and Skinks on the swimming pool deck.
The cat approaches its prey slowly, and attacks by pouncing on its prey as soon as it is within range (about one metre). The African wildcat is mainly active during the night and twilight. When confronted, the African wildcat raises its hair to make itself seem larger in order to intimidate its opponent. In the daytime it usually hides in the bushes, although it is sometimes active on dark, cloudy days. The territory of a male overlaps with that of a few females, who defend the territory against intruders. A female gives birth to two to six kittens, with three being average. The African wildcat often rests and gives birth in burrows or hollows in the ground.
The gestation lasts between 56 and 69 days. The kittens are born blind and need the full care of the mother. Most kittens are born in the wet season, when there is sufficient food. They stay with their mother for five to six months and are fertile after six months. We have noticed in the last couple of weeks that Savanna has now met a “man” a male African Wild Cat that comes and “visits” her at the lodge. Savanna will also leave the lodge for days on end and then return absolutely famished and exhausted.
Savanna was attacked by a Lynx we believe and came to Vuyani Safari Lodge to seek refuge. She was taken in by Carlene Badenhorst and nursed back to health. Savanna decided that this was the life to live and has been our resident “Lodge Cat” since 2012.
So when you visit the lodge you will surely get a chance to meet Savanna.
*Justine Ferreira
