Animals of Africa: Habitats

Kalahari Facts:
Click here to download the folder which includes photos, the map and the sound clips.

1. The Kalahari spans three countries; Botswana, South Africa and Namibia.
2. It covers about 360,000 square miles (930,000 square
Kilometers).
3. apart from the Boteti River, it supports trees, low scrub, and grasses as well as abundant wildlife. It includes the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.
4. Yearly rainfall varies from 5 in. (12.7 cm) in the southwest, where there are active sand dunes, to 20 in. (50.8 cm) in the
northeast.
5. Grass grows throughout the Kalahari in the rainy season, and some parts
also support low thorn scrub and forest.
6. Its human inhabitants are mainly Sann, who are nomadic hunters, andd Khoikhoi, who are hunters and farmers; Tswana and Herero herders have moved into the area.
7. Summer temperatures in the Kalahari range from 20 to 45°C (68 to 113°F).
I found these facts on various websites.
Most of them were found here.




If you were in the Kalahari, this is what you would hear.

In the Kalahari, there are Elephants, Giraffes, Lions, meerkats and many other animals although some don't stay there year round. I'm focusing on this region because most of the animals that I picked from my first post can be found there.
I'll start with some pictures showing the area.








Pictures of the Animals in their Habitats





Elephants can live in almost any climate from dry climates to rain forests.

Hear the River!





Savanna background with hippo and assorted animals.



Hippos come out of the water to eat grass mostly at night. During the day they spend most of their time in shallow water staying cool.



Hear a Hippo in Water!







Meerkats live in burrows which are underground tunnels. The burrows are for sleeping, giving birth and hiding from predators. The meerkats make the burrows by digging large holes in the sand. There are larger spaces in the burrow for sleeping, but they have holes that go into the burrow tunnel system throughout the area where they live in case they have to run from other animals. They scatter these throughout the area so that they'll have a place to run to at any time.

Meerkats live in close family groups called a gang or a mob.








Ideas:
1. Make a simple match game with similar pictures.
You could match the watering hole pictures, the eating pictures or the pictures of the same animals.
2. Cut the pictures into puzzle pieces and see if your child can put the pictures back together.
3. Make an African animal collage.
4. Make up a picture story.
Sensory Play:
Put sand and Safari Bucket Playset: or Giant Bucket of Wild Jungle Animals Toy Figures - Animal Kingdom in a sensory tub. You can find similar play sets at any local store where you can find toys. You could make a tub with sand and water for the hippos or a less messy option would be water only. You could also use left-over Easter grass instead of sand or water for the grassy planes.

Dramatic Play:
Play with plush animals!



I have a table that has two shelves and I put the blanket over the top and two pillows in the center to make the burrow. You could just drape a blanket over a table and put pillows and other blankets underneath for tunnels.
You could add fake plants and other jungle theme items to the area to make it look more realistic.
I hope you've enjoyed this post. tomorrow, I'll be posting my final Africa post.
Sound Clips Are From:
Bushman Fountain Sunrise (Kalahari, South Africa, November 3, 1990)
Soothing River Sounds from the Rainforest


All images except the plush animal pictures were found on google Images.