About the Author

Robert Ball

Contributor

Robbie developed a passion for the African bush from many visits to his family’s small holding in a greater conservancy just outside Johannesburg. Living in the big city his whole life, he always found refuge in the outdoors and has grown to appreciate ...

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11 Comments

on The Effect of Weather on Animal Behaviour

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Gawie Jordaan
Master Tracker

The smell of rain is incredible! I have also observed certain birds starting to call prior to rain, like the Burchells Coucals and ‘Piet-my-vrou’s’.

Dave Mills
Senior Digital Ranger

Nice job, Robbie, and some nice photos, too. Thanks.

Christa Blessing
Master Tracker

Nice blog on weather conditions and animals’ behavior. Thanks! And beautiful photos.
I like the one of the male leopard rubbing its head to reestablish his scent.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

You’ve included some wonderful photos along with your story, really highlighting the amazing skies that can be seen during the summer season. I really enjoy the sights and smells that result from a summer storm, that fresh rain smell, the intense greens of the leaves and the unmistakable odor of wet earth. The animals adapt and so can we….

Vin Beni
Master Tracker

Another question answered! Thanks!
(Havr only visited in winter.)

Kara Taylor
Master Tracker

I feel like it’s true that after the rains it has a certain sense of excitement that you can perceive and animals behaviour. I’ve gone out a number of downpours however and have observed only impala huddling together – like where is everything hiding?! Lol

Valmai Vorster
Master Tracker

Robbie the birds calling and animals looking for food is something to see. They know it is going to rain so they prepare for it. I love the smell of rain. Last week the Nyala bull came to visit and it was about to start raining when lighting struck and thunder roared the poor Nyala got such a fright he jumped over the dead tree and waited for the rain to pass. He then came down to eat what we put out for him to eat.

William Paynter
Master Tracker

Robert, the animal world is always more keenly aware of the weather than we humans seem to be. At least that is my observation. Thanks for the update.

Michael and Terri Klauber
Master Tracker

Robbie, We have never seen rain in all our winter visits! We can imagine that the rain definitely cools things off! We love the image with the lightning by Alex and added it to our favorites!

Lisa Antell
Master Tracker

Coming to the Sabi Sand for my very first summertime visit and looking forward to at least one African thunder storm! Can’t wait to see the bush and animals after the rain passes and the earth is refreshed.

Darlene Knott
Master Tracker

Very interesting article! Thanks for sharing, Robert Ball.

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