Placing camera traps in unusual places can go one of two way: an interesting find or a great disappointment. Camera traps were placed alongside a latrine used by a Kaokoveld rock hyrax colony, found on top of a small hill with dolomite rocky outcrops. Even though the rock hyrax did not appear at the latrine for about two weeks, other interesting species were spotted, namely dassie rat (Petromus typicus) (A), small spotted genet (Genetta genetta) (B), Kaokoveld (or black) mongoose (Galeralla nigrata) (C), an unknown field mouse (D). Eventually the Kaokoveld rock hyrax (Procavia capensis welwitschii) turned up (E & F). The Kaokoveld mongoose has only been seen a few times on the reserve, which makes this a really special sighting. Even though the sightings of these cryptic species are few and far between, the species may well occur elsewhere in the area. Who knows what other small mammals lurk within the dolomite outcrops?
