Communication amongst wild animals

   Calm and relaxed moods of adult grassland Buffaloes

An African dream safari almost reaches the climax once you have visited some of the wilderness in national parks and reserves in which big herds of mammals of different species freely mingle as each is taking life but very cautious of life threatening predators lingering in the nearby bushes. Once in a while you see them turn their heads in certain direction, another time standing still, ears erect, stiff and pointing to the skies. Another time you see a big herd bolt in one direction fully aware and sure of an enemy lurking in the opposite direction. What alerted the herd yet the enemy is completely hidden and submerged in thick bushes? How do mammals in the wild pass on messages to all the members in the herd that may not be heard by members of a different species? How are members of the same species able to move at night in the darkness with poor or no visibility at all?

 Raised ears, wagging tails. Mother Uganda Kob studying movements of a visible intruder very ready to escape

All moving wildlife species have acute hearing, seeing, smelling senses and make appropriate use of each one of them. They send audible sounds through their specific vocals to members of the same family close enough to hear but unable to make use of eye sight due to poor visibility. However if close enough and able to see each other, animals use their body parts; tails, ears, body hair and others to send non verbal messages that can be picked by members of the same species  to express excitement, show calmness, sadness or show danger and route of escape or to stand their ground and fight back. The tips of most animals tails seem (almost in all species) to have a different color pattern from the rest of the body so that it is easy to take note of its positioning and the way it is used to pass on important messages that are clearly picked by other herd members. In almost all species an erect and stiff upright standing tail is a danger alert and readiness to bolt to escape from attack after estimating distance and direction danger is coming from or to stand and fight back if escape is no option. Wagging the tail sideways repeatedly across the hind quarters is a sign of excitement, readiness to mate and playful moods while resting the tail in between legs may signal calmness and no threat of danger nearby. Whatever the case; an experienced wildlife safari guide must be equipped with accurate knowledge about wild animals’ moods, share it with the tourists he is with to educate and excite them and greatly minimizes controllable accidents in the wilderness. Travel with Jewel Safaris to some of the wildest places in Africa with an enchanting wealth of wilderness teeming with prides of lions, big herds of elephants, buffaloes, antelopes and other wildlife species. Listen to loud roars and howls, smell the African wild earth and feel the soothing winds blowing on your body and we are certain you experience strong memories of an unforgettable African vacation.