Animals of the Skeleton Coast

Larger mammals most commonly seen on the plains are springbok and gemsbok. In years when good rain showers occur and there is sufficient grass cover, their numbers increase and even zebra move in from the interior, followed by predators such as hyena, lion and leopard.

Springbok, Antidorcas marsupialis, are ideally suited to desert conditions, as they are opportunistic feeders who both browse and graze, depending on what is available. When the grass supply has become depleted they feed on the nutritious salt-bush, Salsola nollothensis. They are able to go without water for considerable lengths of time, but will drink regularly when it is available. At the Skeleton Coast they are usually seen in small groups, although larger herds move into the desert areas when it is very dry in the interior.

While springbok appear graceful and almost ephemeral in the harsh desert environment, the much larger, striking and heavy-bodied gemsbok, Oryx gazella, seems very much in its element among the dunes. This animal is also well suited to desert conditions, as its diet of grasses, wild melons, the fruit of the narra plant, bulbs of succulents and even welwitschia leaves enables it to go without water for long periods of time. Like the camel, the gemsbok has an unusual adaptation in the form of a radiator-like system of blood vessels in its nasal passages. Before the blood reaches the brain it is cooled, which reduces the gemsbok's need to perspire. This cooling process is further enhanced by panting.

Birds of the plains

There is a surprising variety of birds on the open plains. Larks are especially common, the diminutive Gray's lark, (Ammomanes gray), being very much in evidence within the fog belt, where it feeds on seeds and insects and builds open cup-shaped nests in which it lays its eggs. Small and pale in color, Gray's lark is one of only two truly endemic Namib birds. The other is the dune lark, Certhilauda erythroclamys, which occurs in the sand dunes of the central Namib.

Sandgrouse, which are restricted to arid areas because of specific adaptations, belong to one of the most interesting groups of birds. The Namaqua sandgrouse, Pterocles namaqua, is especially common on the gravel plains. Because these birds feed almost exclusively on small dry seeds, it is necessary for them to drink water regularly. About two hours after sunrise they gather at water holes in large flocks of hundreds, sometimes thousands at a time. They drink with great caution, flying off noisily once they have taken a few sips.

Breeding sandgrouse make no nests. They simply lay their eggs in shallow scrapes in the ground, where their buffcolored spotted plumage keeps them well camouflaged from predators. The females incubate during the day. To combat high temperatures they raise their body feathers to increase the insulating layer of air immediately around them, resorting to panting when temperatures are particularly high.

Newly-hatched sandgrouse chicks have to be provided with drinking water every day, which is brought to them by the male sandgrouse. He wades into the shallows at water holes and, adopting a peculiar pose, absorbs water with his breast feathers, uniquely modified to act as a sponge. He then flies back to the nest, where this water is exuded in droplets for the chicks to drink.

Larger birds often seen on the plains are Ludwig's bustard, Neotis ludwigii, Ruppell's korhaan, Eupodotis rueppellii, and ostrich, Struthio camelus. The latter are a typical sight at the Skeleton Coast. While they most commonly occur in small groups of two or three birds, they are sometimes seen in large groups of up to 50 or more.

Another typical bird seen at the Skeleton Coast is the pied crow, Corvusalbus, also referred to as the parson's crow. These ubiquitous birds are seen not only on the gravel plains, but also among the dunes, in the river courses and on the beaches. They are responsible for a fair amount of pollution, as they carry refuse away from rubbish dumps and distribute it over the desert.

The smaller black crow, Corvus capensis, is also seen, but generally more towards the interior.

Smaller creatures of the plains

Two species of sand snake occur commonly on the plains, where they feed primarily on small lizards. They are the western sand snake, Psammophis trigrammus, and the Namib sand snake, P. Ieightoni namibensis. Both are long, slender and attractive, rather shy and extremely fast moving. Their poison is not dangerous to humans.

The desert plains as well as the dunes and riverbeds teem with several species of mice and gerbils, especially after a good rain year. These smaller creatures are mainly nocturnal, extremely gregarious, to a large extent vegetarian and seemingly independent of water.

Another nocturnal animal, seldom seen but very much present, is the Cape fox, Vulpes chama, which feeds on insects and small mammals, birds and vegetable matter. A glimpse of this desert fox with its quick, phantom-like grace is a rare treat. As it flits in and out of the dark shadows, its long, dense, bushy tail floats behind it like a silver cloud.

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