With the onset of the first summer rains, the lowveld is buzzing with activity. The plants are bursting into leaf and flower, birds are building nests and frog choruses are deafening around watering holes, dams and ponds. The emergence of termite alates (flying ants) often causes a variety of animals to go on a feeding spree.
The tree formerly known as Acacia karroo is one of South Africa’s most iconic and versatile species, deeply woven into the country’s history. It has been used for a wide range of purposes—from crafting rafts and sewing needles to building fences for the royal Zulu women’s homes. Early naturalists even used its thorns to pin collected insects.
No object has received more attention, and is the centre of more cultural stories, than the fabled star cluster colloquially known as the Seven Sisters. Officially named ‘the Pleiades’ this vibrant group of young stars is unmistakable, twinkling close to the horns of the great bull, Taurus. Through binoculars or a small telescope, it is a remarkable object containing close to 500 blue/white stars that are just starting their stellar journeys. Its prominence has been noted by multiple civilisations in both hemispheres and its importance in cultural astronomy cannot be underestimated.
On July 26, 2022, Anton Mzimba was tragically murdered at his home by hitmen linked to rhino poaching. His wife was left wounded, and his children were left to endure the traumatic aftermath of witnessing the brutal attack. The murder sparked international outrage and calls for justice, yet over two years later, no arrests have been made, and the case remains unresolved.
It could be argued that centipedes epitomize the colloquial term “creepy crawly”. Their multitude of legs and rapid serpentine movement sends shivers up the spines of most casual observers.
The western yellow-bellied sand snake is one of the most commonly encountered snakes around houses and lodges in the lowveld. They are agile snakes that often hunt skinks and other lizards in gardens. They will also eat frogs, rodents, small birds and other small snakes.
As we saw in last month’s article, stars are not infinite objects. They live out their lives, just as we do. They are born, reach maturity, and ultimately die. Stars can be seen as great stellar engines – they are reliant on a constant supply of fuel to shine. Once that fuel is depleted, the star can no longer sustain itself.
The deputy environment minister says that fines of R5m, R10m or R20m for environmental offences are insignificant for certain offenders.
This bulky, slow-moving snake is a fossorial species, spending most of its time underground, beneath logs and rocks or in thick leaf-litter. In warm, moist conditions following decent rains, these snakes may be commonly seen moving on the surface. They are often found moving at night in these conditions or early mornings on overcast days.
Each and every night, our planet is bathed in starlight; an eternal vigil held by the countless members of our galactic community. But it is easy to forget that our Sun is just one of many… The Milky Way is thought to contain up to 400 billion stars, yet within the cosmic web of our Universe, there are as many as 200 sextillion stars. This is an incomprehensible number, the equivalent of 10 times the number of cups of water in all the oceans on Earth!
