Life on a Kopje, Part 2

Explanation: Last week, we explored the structures and origins of these strange rock outcrops called kopjes (pronounced "copies"), here in the plains of the Serengeti savanna.

This week, let's explore what forms of life might exist in this apparently inhospitable environment.

In the main photo, above -- is the male head of a family of rock hyraxes, distant relatives of elephants, of all things (they have similar foot anatomies, believe it or not). Rock hyraxes love the safety of tight rock crevices in which they can escape from the many predators of the region, including leopards and even some birds of prey.

Who else inhabits these hills?

We next encounter these old-world lizards, rock agamas (Agama agama).
At their tiny scale, the rocks are not so smooth, and
they can gain a good foothold (toehold).

They likely inhabit kopjes for the same reason as the rock hyrax:
escape from predators. And also, as I observed, having
clear access to crawling and flying insects as their own prey.

Here, we find that kopjes are also fine lookout posts
for spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), perhaps
watching for signs of a lion kill they can go poach.

The warm rock surface also provides a nice, safe
spot for a snooze and to soak up some sunlight.

The broad overhang of this kopje provides a key spot
for a colony of little swifts (Apus affinis).
Here, they are also safe from predators -- who can scale
this sheer wall? -- and the overhang protects
from the weather.

And as we zoom out from the swift colony,
we see sign of another species that has inhabited this hill ...

These are ancient pictographs -- rock paintings -- of
Masai, inhabitants of the dangerous savanna lands.

Look closely here, and you can make out
images of tribal shields, an elephant, and
other curious drawings.

Perhaps these kopjes are not so inhospitable
as they first appear.

After a brief shower, open water pools into pockets
on the exfoliated surface. Water is the ultimate
resource in this dry land, and I found a number of
invertebrate species inhabiting these aquatic microcosms.

As well, many forbs, shrubs, and even trees have
taken advantage of the shade and surfaces of these hills.

One example is this candelabra tree (Euphorbia ingens),
a savanna specialist that sports poisonous white sap.

Many other species also seek out kopjes as habitat -- including bats, snakes,
Old World porcupines, baboons, owls, and many other birds.

Elephants have been known to climb kopjes to feed on fruits and trees.

Some kopjes are resting, denning, or lookout sites for leopards, lions, and cheetahs,
as well. Take care if you get the urge to also climb these formations.
You may have company.

So life on a kopje is not just possible, it thrives in the protection
and the resources that these strange and wonderful hills provide.

Smilin' rock hyrax.

EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week