Paul Carter. Posted 7 Jan 2021
Strandfontein is a small coastal town about 300 km (four hours drive) north of Cape Town (and not to be confused with Strandfontein of False Bay). When visiting friends there (2018 Feb; 2020 Feb+Dec) I found it to be a good place to see Haviside’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii) and Brants’ Whistling Rat (Parotomys brantsii); a total of 11 mammal species seen.
Thanks to Allen and Lizette for sharing their local knowledge (I saw Haviside’s Dolphin from their lounge) and Tania and Lehan (I saw Brants’ Whistling Rat from their lounge).
A. MAMMAL LIST
The following mammals were seen in and near Strandfontein:
1) Haviside’s Dolphin (Cephalorhynchus heavisidii): they sometimes spend 3-4 hours in the bay; behaviour seen included patrolling along the kelp at the southern end of the bay and wave-jumping (often near swimmers). Photos also posted at www.inaturalist.org/observations/67713313.
2) Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae): 4 seen about 35 km north of Strandfontein (2 km offshore at approximately S31.47332° E17.988603° – a remote record and seasonally uncommon.
3) Bush Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia): scrub areas north of town.
4) Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris): 50 km north of Strandfontein.
5) Suricate (Suricata suricatta): airstrip road north of town.
6) Brants’ Whistling Rat (Parotomys brantsii): common in open areas around town e.g. south of the information center at the entrance to the town. Common. Posted at www.inaturalist.org/observations/67718469.
7) Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis): rocky areas of the valley southeast of town.
8) Namaqua Rock Rat (Micaelamys namaquensis): rocky areas at rim of valley south of town.
9) Karoo Bush Rat (Otomys unisulcatus): nests in Strandfontein Kloof (valley immediately south of town)
10) Southern African Pygmy Mouse (Mus minutoides): edge of town.
11) Elephant-shrew species (Karoo or Western): no photo.
B. MAMMAL IMAGES:
