biodiversity explorer

themes		highlights Birds. Thanks to the contributions of many photographers, we now have images of most southern African species. Knysna turaco. Special feature on this beautiful bird, which is otherwise known as the Knysna Lourie. Mammals. Text and images uploaded for many species. Cape dune mole-rat. Special feature on this subterranean mammal that can move about 1 ton of soil every two months. Spiders. By far the most popular section of Biodiversity Explorer. Scorpions. Avoid walking barefoot at night in scorpion country - some species can kill. Solifugids. These scary-looking arachnids have huge jaws with which they scrunch up their prey alive. If you are an insect, avoid at all costs! Cape stag beetles. Comprehensive treatment of the genus Colophon, endemic to the Western Cape. San arrow poisons from beetles. San hunters in the Kalahari poison their arrows with the contents of beetle pupae Mantophasmatodea (heelwalkers, mantos). Comprehensive coverage of this newest order of insects. Declared weeds and invader plants in South Africa. The 3 different categories of invader plants are listed.
	Wild biodiversity The wide range of biomes and habitats in southern Africa yield a spectacular array of wildlife.
	Agricultural and forestry biodiversity Agriculture has created or modified a range of habitats that interface with wild biodiversity.
	Urban biodiversity Plants, insects, birds and other organisms found in our cities and towns.
	Home biodiversity Where you like it or not, other forms of life also like living in your home.
	Food and drink biodiversity Domestication of wild animals and plants has yielded the food we depend on today.
	Harmful biodiversity Understanding how some organisms can harm us can help us to avoid sickness or injury.