THE CROCODILE AND THE AFRICAN JACANA

One is an apex predator. The other a bird with a very interesting breeding habit.

The crocodile and the African Jacana. Two species that makes Kaingo game reserve their home and breeds along the same stretch of the Mokolo river.
The Nile Crocodile is the apex predator in its aquatic habitat. It is patient, persistent, deadly. Fish makes up most of its diet, although we have found larger carcases in the water. Crocodile will occasionally kill larger prey and then stash it until needed.

On one of our boat excursions on the Mokolo river, the boat propeller struck something submerged just under the surface of the water. On closer inspection, it ended up being a very mature Waterbuck bull. How long it has been submerged is any ones’ guess.

The African Jacana is a much shyer and indeed, friendlier animal. Also called a ‘lily trotter’ (with oversized feet, these birds can walk on lily pads without submerging them) they feed on insects, herbs and occasionally fish.

I mentioned that they have an interesting breeding habit: Dad does everything.

You read that right! The female will lay and egg in the males’ nest, the male incubates, raises and take care of the little balls of fluff. Mom, let’s just say that she has other ‘commitments’ and a few other males as well!

Looking at the African Jacana population, the blokes are not too bad at raising the family!

So, there we go. A great aquatic predator and a great father. One with scales, the other feathers. Living in harmony in the Mokolo river.

BUSHVELD GREETINGS