Dunedin Farm: Mammal Guide (2021)

Revised 23 Dec 2022

Introduction

Dunedin Farm is an excellent place to look for Riverine Rabbit, although sightings are not guaranteed. Other species of interest include Large-eared Mouse, Spectacled Dormouse, Karoo Rock Sengi and Le Sueur’s Wing-gland Bat.
This 2021 guide updates my 2016 report and includes data from 13 nights over 3 trips (19-22 March 2016; 6-11 March 2018 and 9-14 March 2021; the first two trips with Clide Carter). The Mammal Checklist (List 1) shows 51 native species recorded and is based on records by the Moolmans, myself and other mammal-watchers (as indicated). List 3 notes the 2 species introduced. List 2 describes 17 species that are possible and/or known in the region. The 13 species on the reptile list are my records only.

Changes and corrections to my 2016 report include:
Large-eared Mouse added to the mammal list.
Cape Short-eared Gerbil added to the mammal list.
Gerbillurus paeba is now Gerbilliscus paeba.
Genetta feline (Feline Genet) split from Genetta genetta.
Rhabdomys intermedius (Karoo Four-striped Mouse) split from R. pumilio.
Karoo Sengi replaces previous Cape Sengi records; but the latter is also in range.
Retracted my record of Round-eared Sengi.
Retracted my record of Long-tailed Serotine.
The correct name of Phone Tower Hill is Tandjiesberg.

Many thanks to the Moolmans for their extensive advice and hospitality over the last +5 years!
Thanks to Hanneline Smit-Robinson for reviewing the Karoo Rock Sengi records.
All photos are mine apart from that of the Western Rock Sengi which is by Marietha Moolman.
For queries and corrections please email me at: paulcarter @ pacapix.com

CONTENTS
1 – Location and Map
2 – Riverine Rabbit Sightings
3 – Dunedin Farm Mammal List
4 – Dunedin Farm Site Notes
5 – Mammal Photos
6 – Reptile Records and Photos
7 – Landscape and Google Earth Images
8 – References
9 – Miscellaneous Notes

Abbreviations
CC – Clide Carter; DFH – Dunedin Farmhouse; ENC – Eagle Nest Cliffs; JH – Jon Hall; JM – Johan Moolman; LEM – Large-eared Mouse; MM – Marietha Moolman; ManusM – Manus Moolman; PC – Paul Carter; PHT – Pumphouse Track; RRR – Riverine Rabbit Retreat guesthouse; Tk1 – Track 1.

1 – Location

Dunedin Farm in the Western Cape (South Africa) is halfway between Beaufort West and Loxton; and is within the Sak River Conservancy. It is a working farm owned by Johan and Marietha Moolman. They and their two sons are very keen on the local wildlife and were extremely helpful in providing information on local species and site locations. They live at the Dunedin Farmhouse (200 m off the main road) whilst guests stay in the Riverine Rabbit Retreat (RRR), the guesthouse about 5 km from the Dunedin farmhouse and well away from the main road. RRR is a very comfortable, fully-contained farmhouse with 5 bedrooms and space for at least 10 guests; and set up for self-catering. It is remote and without internet and phone signal.
Directions from Beaufort West: Take the N2 road towards Johannesburg. After about 1 km you turn left (north) on the R381 and follow that for 56 km to the Dunedin Farmhouse. It would take about one hour without stops. The first 14 km is sealed road (along the eastern edge of the Karoo NP), followed by 10 km good gravel road through the Molteno Pass after which there is a further 32 km (sealed road and gravel) to the Dunedin Farm main gate.
Reservations: contact Marietha at moolmankaroo@gmail.com. It is not marketed elsewhere.

The map below shows the Retreat Rd out to the R1 area and RR Retreat; and the “R2 Road” out to the R2 gate parking. The tracks to the NE Windmill and Tandjiesberg (Phone Tower Hill) are more rugged and require 4WD.

2 – Riverine Rabbit Sightings

The farm appears to host a good population of Riverine Rabbit in four key areas (R1 to R4) along the banks of the Sak River and its tributaries (see google earth images below). Johan can advise which area is currently the best site (depending on rains and grass) e.g. R2 was better in March 2021; he notes that the best time to see them is at dusk and dawn and not necessarily at night; sightings are not guaranteed.
Notable records by visitors:
2016 Mar 19: PC+CC: one at the R1 area at 6.30 pm (30 minutes before sunset); it was grooming and foraging about 20 m off the main track.
2016 Mar 20: JM+PC+CC: on a one-hour walk we saw two in the R2 area at around 7.15 and 7.30 am (1.5 hours after 6 am sunrise).
2016 Sep 28: Gavin Lautenbach and Jonathan Slifkin saw one at 5.00 – 5.45 pm near the line of poplar trees near Dunedin Farmhouse – the R3 area
Date Q – Seen by Ian (?) at the R4 area.
2017 Jan: Jon Hall saw one in the R1 area.
2019 Sep 22: Jo Dale saw one at sunset in the R1 area.
2021 Mar 13: PC: 2 brief sightings in the R2 area.

3 – Dunedin Farm Mammal Lists

The 2016 mammal list was based on sightings and information from the Moolmans; bat records by Trevor Morgan (2014); and my 2016 records. There had been no other small-mammal work on the property at that time. The 2021 mammal lists below includes new observations; taxonomic changes and corrections to the 2016 list. List 1 includes two unconfirmed species (Cape Hare and Cape Rock Sengi) that are likely present.

LIST 1 – MAMMAL CHECKLIST (excluding 2 introduced species):

1. Aardvark (Orycteropus afer). JM: Widespread. PC: seen from the Pumphouse Track.
2. Sclater’s Golden Mole (Chlorotalpa sclateri). MM: Golden Mole reported by the Moolmans at Dunedin Farmhouse is presumably this one. It is the only golden mole on the Karoo NP checklist.
3. Karoo Rock Sengi (Elephantulus pilicaudus). At southern part of their range (see EWT species account). PC photographed in 2016 (thanks to Hanneline Smit-Robinson for reviewing records); MM at Tandjiesberg.
4. Western Rock Sengi (Elephantulus rupestris). Photographed (June 2021) by MM near the Dunedin Farmhouse (broken white not buff eye-ring); also reported at Karoo NP.
5. Reddish-grey Musk Shrew (Crocidura cyanea) – MM: reports on neighbour’s farm. Mike Richardson recorded in rocks behind RRR (2016 Nov).
6. Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis). PC: Common on rocky areas e.g. Dam Hill.
7. Geoffroy’s Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus clivosus). Morgan (2014) – Confirmed. PC: shed near front gate.
8. Egyptian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida aegyptiaca). Morgan (2014) – Confirmed. PC (2018): photographed in the roof of RRR (audio records in 2021 Mar but not present in the roof).
9. Natal Long-fingered Bat (Miniopterus natalensis). Morgan (2014) – Confirmed. PC (2021) audio records.
10. Le Sueur’s Wing-gland Bat (Cistugo lesueuri) – Morgan (2014) as suspected. PC (2016-2021) at RRR shed. Also by JH. Previously referred to as Lesueur’s Wing-gland Bat.
11. Cape Serotine (Laephotis capensis). Binomial change from “Neoromicia capensis”. Morgan (2014) – Confirmed. PC (2018, 2021); 2018 roosting in the RRR roof but not present in 2021. PC (2021) audio records around RRR.
12. Caracal (Caracal caracal). JM-MM: Common but hard to see.
13. African Wild Cat (Felis lybica). Here treating as separate from Felis silvestris. JM-MM: Common but hard to see. Seen by PC in the LEM area (2021). Jo dale also reported a sighting.
14. Feline Genet (Genetta felina). PC: RRR garden and cliffs on PHT. Split from Genetta genetta (Small-spotted Genet).
15. Marsh Mongoose (Atilax paludinosus). JM: DFH area and along Sak River. PC (2021) saw at 7 pm at the PHT weir (between RRR and the dam).
16. Cape Grey Mongoose (Herpestes pulverulentus). PC+CC: seen at RRR, Pumphouse Track and the dam.
17. Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata). PC: seen on the road to the Tandjiesberg.
18. Suricate (Meerkat) (Suricata suricatta). JM: a colony on the road to Tandjiesberg. Also in the R2 area.
19. Aardwolf (Proteles cristatus). PC: seen on Dam Hill (2016 and 2018); also seen here by others.
20. Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas). JM (2016): resident; seen on the Retreat road.
21. Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis). PC: common in the R1 – NW Windmill area.
22. Cape Fox (Vulpes chama). Moolmans: between R1 and NE Windmill.
23. African Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis). ManusM: resident at the dam.
24. Striped Polecat (Ictonyx striatus). JM-MM: hard to see.
25. Common Eland (Tragelaphus oryx). JM-MM: occasional; crossing farms.
26. Greater Kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros). PC: seen at R1 and Pump-house track.
27. Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus). JM: resident.
28. Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris). PC: seen at RRR, R2 and Phone Tower areas.
29. Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis). JM-MM: common. PC: R2 area.
30. Grey Rhebok (Pelea capreolus). JM: resident.
31. Mountain Reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula). JM-MM: fairly common. Seen by HF (2017).
32. Bush Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia).
33. Hewitt’s Red Rock Hare (Pronolagus saundersiae). JM: common at Phone Tower Hill. PC: Common at Dam Hill area.
34. Riverine Rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis). JM: resident at R1, R2, R3 and R4; occasional roadkill on the main road. PC: saw in 2016 at R1 and R2; and in 2021 at R2.
35. Scrub Hare (Lepus saxatilis). PC: common, e.g. RRR, PHT, R1 and R2. No buff-ochre band between white abdomen and greyish sides.
36. Cape Hare (Lepus capensis). Most hares photographed by PC were Scrub Hare. Cape Hare here have buff-ochre band between white abdomen and greyish-brown sides (see Apps, 2012).
37. Southern Multimammate Mouse (Mastomys coucha). PC (2021) recorded in reedy-grass area below the Pump-house and at PHT Weir.
38. Karoo Bush Rat (Otomys unisulcatus). JM: a colony behind the Dunedin Farmhouse (on berm near gate); also on road edge outside DFH. PC: on the PH track at car wreck gully.
39. Namaqua Rock Rat (Aethomys namaquensis). PC: common in the rocks behind the Pumphouse and RRR.
40. Karoo Four-striped Mouse (Rhabdomys intermedius). R. intermedius split from R. pumilio. PC: seen at RRR, R1 and R2 areas.
41. Pygmy Hairy-footed Gerbil (Gerbilliscus paeba previously Gerbillurus paeba). PC (2016, 2021): in the R1 area.
42. Cape Short-eared Gerbil (Desmodillus auricularis). PC (2018): common in fields near PHT graveyard.
43. Southern African Pouched Mouse (Saccostomus campestris). MM: found at DFH.
44. Large-eared Mouse (Malacothrix typica). ManusM found (2020?) near the irrigation area; PC (2021) found at the same site (LEM on the map) within 1 hour of looking for it. JH (2017).
45. Pygmy Mouse (Mus minutoides) – JH (2017).
46. Spectacled Dormouse (Graphiurus ocularis). JM-MM: Recorded in roof of RRR and the Pumphouse area.  JH (2017) and PC (2018) found in rocks near pumphouse.
47. Southern African Ground Squirrel (Xerus inauris). PC: Seen at NE Windmill and 200 m west of R1 Gate.
48. Cape Porcupine (Hystrix africaeaustralis). PC: common; easily seen at the RRR garden and the Pumphouse Track fields.
49. Common Mole-rat (Cryptomys hottentotus). Mounds locally common; the only mole-rat species in the region. PC: no sight records but seen moving soil at RRR (2021).
50. Vervet Monkey (Chlorocebus pygerythrus). JM-MM: seasonal visitor.
51. Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus). JM-MM: occasional.

LIST 2 – POSSIBLE SPECIES:

1. Cape Rock Sengi (Elephantulus edwardii) – PROBABLE.
2. Round-eared Sengi (Macroscelides proboscideus) – No records; previous record retracted.
3. House Mouse (Mus musculus) – Probable.
4. Brants’s Whistling Rat (Parotomys brantsii) – Listed for Karoo NP.
5. Littledale’s Whistling Rat (Parotomys littledalei) – Listed for Karoo NP.
6. Robert’s Vlei Rat (Otomys karoensis) – Possible. Baxter et al (2017): “Otomys karoensis” is the correct name for the Western Cape population (vs “Otomys saundersiae”).
7. Grant’s Rock Mouse (Aethomys granti) – Possible. Listed at Karoo NP.
8. Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus collinus) – Probable. Listed at Karoo NP.
9. Lesser Dwarf Shrew (Suncus varilla) – Listed for Karoo NP.
10. Forest Shrew (Myosorex varius) – Listed for Karoo NP.
11. Cape Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus capensis) – Morgan (2014) – Possible.
12. Egyptian Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris thebaica) – Morgan (2014) – Suspected.
13. Temminck’s Myotis (Myotis tricolor) – Morgan (2014) – Possible.
14. Long-tailed Serotine (Eptesicus hottentotus) – Morgan (2014) – Suspected.
15. Black-footed Cat (Felis nigripes) – Moolmans: Known on nearby farms.
16. African Striped Weasel (Poecilogale albinucha) – JM-MM: No records.
17. Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis) – JM-MM: Known on nearby farms.
18. Southern Reedbuck (Redunca arundinum). JM-MM. Q: vagrants from populations introduced elsewhere?

LIST 3 – INTRODUCED SPECIES

1. Gemsbok (Oryx gazella) – JM: Introduced.
2. European Fallow Deer (Dama dama) – JM-MM: Occasional, introduced.

4 – Dunedin Farm Site Notes

Key mammal-watching sites are marked on the the map above as well as more detailed Google Earth maps below. For mammals I suggest focusing on the areas around Dam Hill, R1, Retreat Road, Pumphouse Track, the Retreat and R2. Check with Johan which of the R1 to R4 areas are currently best for Riverine Rabbit.
Retreat Road starts 600 m north of the gate to Dunedin Farmhouse; the Retreat is about 5.5 km from the main road. A good road for a night-drive.
R3 area: scrub between Dunedin Farmhouse and the start of the Retreat Road.
R1 area: on the Retreat Road, between the Irrigation Road junction (J1) and the R1 gate (2.2 km and 2.7 km from the main road). PC+CC: Riverine Rabbit (19 Mar 2016 6.30pm); Pygmy Hairy-footed Gerbil; Bat-eared Fox are common on some nights.
LEM area: Turn left off Retreat onto Irrigation Road; park before the Sak River crossing; walk the rough track heading east; Large-eared Mouse found 320 meters down this track (a small marker rock stack might still be there).
Riverine Rabbit Retreat (RRR): Porcupine and Feline Genet at night. Spectacled Dormouse recorded at the house (JM). Bats night-roosting in the sheds (Lesueur’s Wing-gland Bat, Cape Serotine) and in 2018 (but not 2021) day-roosting in the roof (Egyptian Free-tailed Bats and Cape Serotine). Common Mole-rate active near the water-tank.
Pumphouse Track (PHT): The track from the Retreat to the pumphouse (at the dam wall) is about 1.5 km long. Species: Cape Short-eared Gerbil (graveyard area); Scrub Hare (in the fields); Aardvark (riverbed; burrows are common); Karoo Bush Rat (a lodge just before “car-wreck gully”); Karoo Sengi (rocks 200 m before the pump-house).
Pumphouse Track Weir: Large trees and a seemingly permanent pond here. PC (2021): Marsh Mongoose and Southern Multimammate Mouse. Porcupine common.
Dam Hill: Dolerite hill with large boulders. Hewitt’s Red Rock Hare common after sunset in the areas with smaller boulders. Aardwolf seen on the windmill side. Karoo Elephant-shrew seen sunbathing late afternoon; they come out close if you sit quietly (in rocky areas upslope from the pump-house); Spectacled Dormouse (pump-house and Dam Hill); Clawless Otter (at the dam); Cape Eagle Owl roost here; Coral Snake (venomous, nocturnal).
Eagle Nest Track (ENT) and Cliffs: Aardvark. Verraux’s Eagle nest here.
NE Windmill: the track starts 600 m north of Dunedin Farmhouse. Cape Fox is reported along here and the track to R1. There is a Ground Squirrel colony at the windmill.
Dunedin Farmhouse (DFH): a Karoo Bush Rat colony behind the house near the blue-doored building. Golden-mole reported by MM. Western Rock Sengi (2021 by MM).
R2 area: 2.2 km SW of Dunedin Farmhouse; the track starts from the back of the Dunedin Farmhouse. Good for Riverine Rabbit.
Tandjiesberg (Phone Tower Hill): the access track starts opposite the Dunedin Farmhouse; the hill is a particularly rocky area and worth exploring further if time permits. 4WD is generally needed on the hill. Species: Suricate colony on the way to the hill; Hewitt’s Red Rock Hare; Karoo Elephant-shrew (photographs by MM).
R4 area: part of the Sak River south of Tandjiesberg; accessible on a walking track starting from the concrete bridge on the main road.

5 – Mammal Photos

Aardvark (Orycteropus afer)

Karoo Rock Elephant-shrew (Elephantulus pilicaudus)

Western Rock Sengi ( Elephantulus rupestris) – PHOTO BY MARIETHA MOOLMAN

Egyptian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida aegyptiaca)

Cape Serotine (Neoromicia capensis / Laephotis capensis)

Feline Genet (Genetta felina)

Cape Grey Mongoose (Herpestes pulverulentus)

Bat-eared Fox (Otocyon megalotis)

Hewitt’s Red Rock Hare (Pronolagus saundersiae)

Riverine Rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis)

Scrub Hare (Lepus saxatilis)

Cape Hare (Lepus capensis)

Karoo Four-striped Grass Mouse (Rhabdomys intermedius)

Cape Short-eared Gerbil (Desmodillus auricularis)

Large-eared Mouse (Malacothrix typica)

Spectacled Dormouse (Graphiurus ocularis)

6 – Reptile Records and Photos

1 – Leopard Tortoise – Stigmochelys pardalis (2018, 2021 – R2 area).
2 – Inland Thick-toed Gecko – Pachydactulus oculatus (19 Mar 2016 – iNat). AKA Golden Spotted Gecko.
3 – Bibron’s Thick-toed Gecko – Pachydactylus bibronii.
4 – Cape Thick-toed Gecko – Pachydactylus capensis. Query – on ID.
5 – Marico Thick-toed Gecko – Pachydactylus mariquensis (9 Mar 2018 – iNat).
6 – Fragile Thick-toed Gecko – Pachydactylus kladaroderma (12 Mar 2021 – iNat); at northern-most edge of its range.
7 – Ground Agama – Agama aculeata. Not confirmed.
8 – Southern Rock Agama – Agama atra.
9 – Karoo Girdled Lizard – Cordylus polyzonus. Not confirmed.
10 – Cape Crag Lizard – Pseudocordylus microlepidotus (2018; 2021 – iNat); at the northern edge of its range?
11 – Western Rock Skink – Trachylepis sulcata.
12 – Variegated Skink – Trachylepis variegata.
13 – Burchell’s Sand Lizard – Pedioplanis burchelli (12 Mar 2021 – iNat)
14 – Spotted Sand Lizard – Pedioplanis lineoocellata (19 Mar 2016 – iNat).
15 – Cape Coral Snake – Aspidelaps lubricus (21 Mar 2016 2113h iNat).

7 – Landscape and Google Earth Images

8 – References

Apps P (2012). Smithers’ Mammals of Southern Africa. A field guide. By Smithers RHN; updated and revised by Apps P. Struik Nature. Kindle Edition.
Baxter R, Child MF, Taylor P (2017). Otomys karoensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T111949037A111963567.
Monadjem A, Taylor PJ, Cotterill F, Schoeman MC (2020 June). Bats of Southern and Central Africa: A biogeographic and taxonomic synthesis, 2nd edition. pp640. Wits University Press. ISBN-10:1776145828.
Morgan T (2014). List of confirmed, suspected and possible species – informal notes.
Smit HA, Robinson TJ, Watson J, van Vuuren BJ (2008). A new species of elephant-shrew (Afrotheria: Macroscelidea: Elephantulus) from South Africa. Journal of Mammalogy 89:1257-1268. Subject: Karoo Rock Sengi.
Stuart C, Stuart M (2015). Stuarts’ Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa including Angola, Zambia and Malawi. Struik Nature.

Links (as at 2016) on the Riverine Rabbit:
http://www.farmersweekly.co.za/article.aspx?id=50852&h=Farmers-work-to-conserve-the-riverine-rabbit
http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/rare-riverine-rabbit/
http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=3
http://www.arkive.org/riverine-rabbit/bunolagus-monticularis/image-G142556.html

9 – Miscellaneous Notes

The mammal list in my 2016 report was based on sightings and information from the Moolmans; records by Trevor Morgan (2014) on bats on the property (9 bat species listed); and my 2016 records. There had been no other small-mammal work on the property at that time. Some bat species listed on the 2016 list as possible have been removed after reviewing Monadjem et al (2020). These include:
a) Dwarf Slit-faced Bat (Nycteris nana).
b) Lesser Wooly Bat (Kerivoula lanosa).

In 2021 after reviewing the Sengi on Dam Hill and wondering if that was Karoo Rock Sengi (Elephantulus edwardii) I contacted Hanneline Smit-Robinson who described this species (Smit et al, 2008) and she agrees. It does not have a large range. Marietha has also photographed Western Rock Sengi near the Dunedin farm-house; colour, eye-ring and habitat are different to those of the Karoo Rock Sengis we have seen.

The shed at RRR appears to be used as a night roost by Cape Serotine and Le Sueur’s Wing-gland Bat.

On my 2021 trip I had checked out and Marietha mentioned that Manus had seen Large-eared Mouse, which I had not, so I checked back in. They called Manus (at university) for details and Johan showed me the area (now LEM on the map). Late dusk there was slight drizzle two hours after heavier storm and still distant lightning. I walked the area and shortly after nightfall I saw the mouse; and photographed it before catching it by hand (it made a buzzing noise when chased). Crouching down to photograph it in hand and before I could do so it jumped and disappeared between my legs, not seen again. I then walked towards my car in the light drizzle and after about 5 minutes I felt a scratching near my bicep – it was the mouse. Back at the car whilst retrieving the mouse from under 3 layers of clothing I looked up to see a wild cat watching the activity; this the only wild cat I have seen there but it moved off before I could photo it.

Cape Rock Sengi is probable but unconfirmed. If anyone has definitive photo records then feel free to email me on that and/or any other comments; and I can update this post.

Paul Carter (paulcarter @ pacapix.com)