CELEBRATING THE LITTLE 5 AT PAKAMISA

Chamu, the charming game ranger at Pakamisa took us on a journey to explore the Little 5. We always chase after the Big 5 – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo – and rarely take any notice of the Little 5 – antlion, leopard tortoise, rhino beetle, elephant shrew and buffalo weaver.

On our evening bush walk we stumbled over lots of ant lion tracks. These squiggly drawings in the sand lead to a conical well, and inside is the tiny, yet ferocious, ant lion. Don’t be confused as the antlion is neither an ant or a lion.

We teased him out of his hiding place – so shaped to trap ants and other delicious dinner morsels. He was not happy ….. have a look at this little video of him having stern words with us…..

Once we had coaxed this little fellow out of his hiding place, he promptly tried to burrow back not realising he was in the hand of a human! He was released back into his den, to prepare for his next meal.

Antlion are the larval form of any of the 2,000 species of the family Myrmeleontidae, and feed mainly on ants.

A fully developed larva is about 1.5 cm long, with a life cycle similar to that of a caterpillar. It spins a cocoon and emerges resembling a dragonfly.

Antlion traps are set in dry areas where the soil is loose and small. Once they have dug their circular, funnel shaped pit they hide in the bottom of it waiting for their prey. The antlion grabs his dinner with his jaws and promptly sucks out its body fluid and disposes of the carcass.

For more information about Pakamisa Private Game Reserve: www.pakamisa.co.za