Namib Sand Gecko - Namibia

The Skeleton Coast is a narrow band of coastline on the Northern Namib Desert extending from the Kunene River in the north to the Swakop River in the south. Annual rainfall rarely exceeds 10 milliliters. The region derives its name from the many animal skeletons and wrecked sailing vessels scattered along the shores.

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Pachydactylus rangei - The Namib sand gecko, also known as the web-footed gecko, is found south of the Sahara Desert, mainly in Namibia. It has webbed toes to assist in carrying it across the sandy surface and for digging burrows to escape the heat. The underside of their toes have rows of plates called lamellae. These plates are covered with microscopic hooks similar to Velcro material. The Namib sand gecko lacks eyelids and must lick its eyeballs to keep them clean and moist. The sand gecko prefers foraging in the cooler nights.

Springbok - Namibia

Antidorcas marsupialis - When threatened, the springbok has developed an unusual behavior to deter potential predators. The springbok stiffens its legs, arches its back, and repeatedly springs up with enough force to  bring the animal 3 meters off the ground. These displays are known as “pronking” and demonstrate the strength and vitality of the individual. Should “pronking” fail, a springbok can easily outrun most predators. It is capable of reaching speeds of 100 km/h.

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Lüderitz was a German settlement established along the coast of Namibia in 1883. It became the foothold for Germany to expand its control over the region; the colony “Deutsch-Südwestafrika,” German Southwest Africa was formed in 1884. In 1909, diamonds were discovered in the vicinity and the colony enjoyed a period of prosperity. Germany lost control of Namibia following its defeat in World War I. The area was administrated by South Africa until Namibia achieved independence in 1990.

Oribi - Deutsch-Südwestafrika

German-Southwest Africa began as a commercial enterprise in 1882. Adolf Lüderitz, a tobacco merchant from Bremen, gave Chief Josef Frederiks II 200 rifles and 100£ in gold for the rights to a small strip of land fronting the Atlantic coast. Germany, fearing British encroachment, made the colony an imperial entity in 1884.

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Ourebia ourebi - The Oribi breeding season usually occurs during the rainy season, August to September. Depending on geographical location, oribis practice all three forms of partnership selections: polyandry, polygyny, and polygynandry. Polyandry is rare in the animal kingdom and describes a female seeking out more than one male partner. Polygyny describes a single male holding and defending multiple females for his exclusive mating rights. Polygynandry has both male and female mating with different partners.