This blog was written by Jessica Piper, a Bushwise International Field Guide student. Each student takes a turn as camp manager, and writing a blog is part of the experience.
3 min read
Not many people know or have heard about the Shy Five. Completely different from the Big Five, you’ll rarely see them out in the open. For these five cuties you’ll have to go out early in the mornings and look carefully because they get spooked easily. These animals are nocturnal, which is mainly why they are tough sightings but are no less exciting then the Big Five. They are not big or dangerous but are secretive about how they go about their lives. The Shy Five are the Aardwolf, Aardvark, Bat-eared fox, Pangolin and Porcupine.
Aardwolf [view image here]
The aardwolf is a part of the hyena family and is referred to as the termite-eating hyena because unlike other hyena family members, the aardwolf mainly eats termites and other insects. They have a bushy tail and slender body with a mane or ridge of hair running down their back, and their tongue is especially sticky to catch all their favourite food. They have an acute sense of smell which they use to locate termite mounds and can consume thousands of termites in one night. The shy nature of the Aardwolf and its preference for the darkness is the reason that it is rarely seen.
Aardvark [view image here]
The aardvark, or more often referred to as ‘earth pig’, is a peculiar looking animal with thick almost hairless skin, a long snout and rabbit-like ears. These animals, like the aardwolf, are nocturnal and eat mostly termites and ants, with a preference for termites. They have powerful claws built for digging which can break through termite mounds easily. The aardvark can escape predators by quickly digging underground. The burrows that they leave behind can be crucial to other species, creating shelter for multiple animals, including small mammals, snakes and some insects. However, due to their solitary nature and the fact that they are nocturnal they are very rarely seen.
Bat-eared Fox
The bat-eared fox got its name from its enormous ears, which are used to detect insect movement underground. Their ears aren’t just for hunting but can also aid in regulating its body temperature in hotter climates. Their diet has been highly adapted for insects, mainly beetles and termites. The bat-eared fox is usually seen in small family groups or pairs and is known to be a more social animal although they are still difficult to spot. They spend their days in their burrows to avoid the heat. The fact that they prefer the open and that they are nocturnal makes them very elusive.
Pangolin
The pangolin is considered to be the most elusive of the Shy Five. It is covered in scales made of keratin that overlap each other. When threatened they curl up into a tight ball using its scales as armor protection. Like the aardwolf and the aardvark, the pangolin's diet mainly consists of ants and termites, using its sticky tongue to lap them up. The pangolin is solitary and nocturnal and spends most of its life in thick vegetation or hidden in burrows. Due to its declining population sightings are extremely rare, making it a very sought-after animal to see in the bush.
Porcupine
The porcupine is the largest rodent in Africa and can be recognised easily by the sharp quills. It uses its quills mainly for defence against predators and when the porcupine is threatened it will raise and rattle its quills as a warning before running backwards towards the threat to try to impale them with its barbed, sharp spines. Porcupines forage for bark, roots and tubers during the night and spend their days in their burrows or rocky crevices. They have a very secretive nature which makes them difficult to spot, however, you can tell if one has been in an area by the quills often left behind.
The Big Five is definitely more of a fan-favourite and on people’s list to see, but the Shy Five are no less interesting. Their roles in the ecosystem and their elusive nature make them a compelling topic for those who are willing to go beyond the beaten path. Seeing any of the Shy Five will require patience, but when spotted will leave a lifetime impression on enthusiasts.
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