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18-573: Leviathan Cave is located in the Chyulu Hills National Park at the edge of the Nyiri Desert , which is found northwest of Tsavo West National Park. In the 1980s, Leviathan Cave was the third-longest known lava tube in the world. However, modern surveys have found newer, longer tubes, and have located longer passages of known tubes. Leviathan Cave is still the longest tube in Africa, but is only

36-404: A distinct preference for forbs , and then woody plants (especially Flueggea virosa ) when few forbs are available. They will also take fruits and only very rarely graze on grass . They are almost entirely independent of drinking water, gaining the moisture they need from their food. Steenbok are active during the day and the night; however, during hotter periods, they rest under shade during

54-499: A northwestern continuation of Tsavo West National Park . The western flank of the hills is covered by the West Chyulu Game Conservation owned by Maasai group ranches. Potential threats to the ecosystem include poaching , overgrazing by growing population of Maasai herders and scarcity of water. Steenbok The steenbok / ˈ s t eɪ n b ɒ k , ˈ s t iː n -/ ( Raphicerus campestris )

72-420: Is a common small antelope of southern and eastern Africa . It is sometimes known as the steinbuck or steinbok . Steenbok resemble small oribi , standing 45–60 cm (16"–24") at the shoulder, and weigh 7-16 kg. Their coat is any shade from fawn to rufous, typically rather orange. The underside, including chin and throat, is white, as is the ring around the eye. Ears are large with "finger-marks" on

90-671: Is about 11 km long, one of the longest caves in Africa. The national park is part of the Tsavo conservation area which covers Tsavo West National Park , Tsavo East National Park and the Kibwezi Forest. The park's main gate is in Kibwezi in Makueni County. The Chyulu Hills stood in for the Ngong Hills in the film Out of Africa . The Chyulu Hills are located about 150 km east of

108-498: Is alternated with prostration during extended pursuit. They are known to take refuge in the burrows of aardvarks . Known predators include Southern African wildcat , caracal , jackals , leopard , martial eagle and pythons . Steenbok are typically solitary, except for when a pair come together to mate . However, it has been suggested that pairs occupy consistent territories while living independently, staying in contact through scent markings , so that they know where their mate

126-426: Is most of the time. Scent marking is primarily through dung middens . Territories range from 4 hectares to 1 square kilometre. The male is aggressive during the female's oestrus , engaging in "bluff-and-bluster" type displays with rival males—prolonged contests invariably involve well-matched individuals, usually in their prime. Breeding occurs throughout the year, although more fawns are born November to December in

144-516: Is wild khat growing on the hills, which is picked by local people. There is also some cultivation of khat around the hills. Khat from Chyulu hills is known as Chuylu , as opposed to Miraa , which is cultivated in the Meru County . The Chyulu Hills National Park comprises the eastern flank of the hills and is operated by the Kenya Wildlife Service . The park was formed in 1983. It forms

162-515: The Kenya Rift . The hills consists of several hundred small flows and cones. Volcanism in the area started about 1.4 million years ago in the northern parts of the hills, and over time the volcanism propagated towards the southeast. These volcanoes are still considered active, since their last two eruptions (Shaitani and Chainu) occurred in 1856. Within the hills is the Leviathan Cave , one of

180-518: The 11th-longest lava tube in the world. Leviathan Cave is divided into two sections, the Upper Leviathan and the Lower Leviathan. The Upper Leviathan is 9,152 m (30,026 ft) long, with a depth of 408 m (1,339 ft). The Lower Leviathan is 2,071 m (6,795 ft) long, with a depth of 70 m (230 ft). These segments are considered separately when ranking the length of

198-650: The Leviathan, per international standard. Like all lava tubes, Leviathan Cave was formed by hot lava flowing beneath a cooled crust . Chyulu Hills The Chyulu Hills is a mountain range in Makueni County in southeastern Kenya. It forms a 100-kilometre-long volcanic field in an elongated northeast–southwest direction. Its highest peak is 2,188 metres high. The Leviathan Cave (also known as Kisula caves) in Chyulu Hills National Park

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216-631: The central part of Kruger National Park , South Africa, Steenbok show a distinct preference for Acacia tortilis savannah throughout the year, with no tendency to migrate to moister areas during the dry season (unlike many larger African savannah ungulates, including species sympatric with Steenbok in the wet season). Population density is typically 0.3–1.0 individuals per square kilometre, reaching 4 per km in optimal habitats. Steenbok typically browse on low-level vegetation (they cannot reach above 0.9 m ), but are also adept at scraping up roots and tubers. In central Kruger National Park, Steenbok show

234-441: The heat of the day. The time spent feeding at night increases in the dry season. While resting, they may be busy grooming, ruminating or taking brief spells of sleep. At the first sign of trouble, steenbok typically lie low in the vegetation. If a predator or perceived threat comes closer, a steenbok will leap away and follow a zigzag route to try to shake off the pursuer. Escaping steenbok frequently stop to look back, and flight

252-473: The hills are composed of grassland and thicket , while above roughly 1800 metres is dominated by montane forest . The forest contains Neoboutonia macrocalyx , soccerball fruit , African cherry , Strombosia scheffleri , Cassipourea malosana , black ironwood , and African holly . Some isolated parts are dominated by Abyssinian coral tree . Lower parts of the forest are dominated either by African juniper or Commiphora baluensis . Mammals found in

270-647: The hills include eastern black rhinos , Cape buffaloes , bushbucks , elands , elephants , bushpigs , Masai giraffe , leopards , lions , mountain reedbucks , steinbok , wildebeest and Grant's zebras . Cheetahs are found at the plains of Chyulu Hills. Various snakes inhabit the hills, like black mamba , puff adder and rock python . There are various bird species on the hills, with some endemic races. Bird species include: Shelley's francolin , white-starred robin , orange ground thrush , cinnamon bracken warbler , Ayres's hawk-eagle , African crowned eagle , martial eagle , and Abbott's starling . There

288-453: The inside. Males have straight, smooth, parallel horns 7–19 cm long (see image left). There is a black crescent-shape between the ears, a long black bridge to the glossy black nose, and a black circular scent-gland in front of the eye. The tail is not usually visible, being only 4–6 cm long. There are two distinct clusters in steenbok distribution. In East Africa , it occurs in central and southern Kenya and northern Tanzania . It

306-502: The longest lava tubes in the world. Kibwezi town is located 30 km northeast of the Chyulu Hills. The Chyulu Hills do not have any permanent rivers, but rainfall on hills feeds the Tsavo and Galana rivers and Mzima Springs on the surrounding plains. Chyulu hills divide the Tsavo and Amboseli plains. The area is inhabited by Maasai and Kamba people. Lower parts of

324-705: Was formerly widespread in Uganda , but is now almost certainly extinct there. In Southern Africa , it occurs in Angola , Namibia , South Africa , Eswatini , Botswana , Mozambique , Zambia , Zimbabwe and probably Lesotho . Steenbok live in a variety of habitats from semi-desert , such as the edge of the Kalahari Desert and Etosha National Park , to open woodland and thickets, including open plains , stony savannah , and Acacia – grassland mosaics . They are said to favour unstable or transitional habitats. At least in

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