Ant lion (family: Myrmeleontidae)
Adults are long, thin, slow-flying insects resembling a dragonfly. There are 130 different species of antlion. The adults are found during the day amongst all types of vegetation; they usually fly at night and are very often attracted to light. The winged adults are either predatory or feed on pollen.
The larva of this insect is more commonly seen. The antlion larva creates funnel-shaped sand formations in the soft sand. Here, these predators wait for ants and other small insects to fall into their traps. Once an ant falls into the funnel, the antlion larva flicks its abdomen creating an avalanche effect on the walls of the funnel. The larva has powerful jaws with which it grabs its meal.
Elephant Shrew (family: Macroscelididae)
Elephant shrews are found only in Africa. They used to be classified under the order 'Insectivora', but due to their long snout, herbivorous dentition and unique digestive tract, they now enjoy their own order. The elephant shrew most commonly found in northern Botswana is the short-snouted elephant shrew.
This shrew is about 210mm long and weighs on average about 44g. Its diet consists predominantly of insects such as ants and termites, but they will also eat grasshoppers and crickets. The shrew uses large scent glands, located behind the ears, with which to mark its territories, which males will defend aggressively.
Rhino Beetle (family: Dynastinae)
These robust, dark-brown beetles are very similar to the dung beetle, the major difference being the conspicuous horn on the head and/or thorax. It is from this horn that this beetle gets its name. Their larvae are typical large white grubs and are found in decaying vegetable matter, on which they feed.
Leopard Tortoise (family: Testudinidae)
This large tortoise's shell is neither serrated nor hinged. Its name comes from the striking pattern on the shell, which resembles the coat of a leopard. Adults weigh between 8 - 12kg and they move slowly around their home ranges of between 1 - 2km. These tortoises are seen mostly after a summer thunderstorm, when they drink water from the puddles. They usually feed on plant foliage and berries.
Redbilled Buffalo Weaver (family: Ploceidae)
These birds occur throughout northern Botswana, especially in the drier areas. Their presence is more often than not noted by their messy communal nests. These nests are constructed mainly out of thorn branches and house as many as ten birds. The Redbilled Buffalo Weavers are associated with Acacia erioloba (Camel thorn trees) and this is very evident in the Savute area.
The male has black colouration; both sexes have the red conical-shaped bill. This type of bill is characteristic of the seedeaters; the buffalo weaver will, however, also eat insects and fruit. They are highly vocal birds, dispersing from their nests during the day and returning at night. Three to four eggs are normally laid in the nest and incubation takes about 22 days, after which the female tends to the young.
