The Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) belongs to the family 'Pongidae', which includes four species of great apes: the Gorilla, Common Chimpanzee, Bonobo or Pygmy Chimpanzee and Orangutan. The Western Lowland Gorilla lives in the tropical rainforests spread across … [Read more...]
African Animals
Did you know that Africa is home to some of the most interesting and diverse wildlife in the world?
From lions and elephants to giraffes and zebras, there are plenty of animals to see on a safari in Africa.
But what about the "Big Five?"
The Big Five refers to the five most dangerous animals to hunt on foot in Africa:
While these are some of the most impressive creatures you'll see on an African safari, there is so much more waiting for you beyond the Big Five.
Other top wild animal sightings in Africa include:
There are also many different types of birds, reptiles, and amphibians to see in Africa.
Endangered Animals In Africa
The African continent is home to some of the most iconic and beautiful animals in the world. Unfortunately, many of these animals are now endangered due to a variety of factors including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and illegal wildlife trade. Some of the most endangered animals in Africa include:
- The African elephant is one of the most iconic animals on the continent and is also one of the most endangered. African elephants are threatened by habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal ivory trade.
- The African lion is another big cat that is facing several threats including habitat loss, trophy hunting, and human-wildlife conflict.
- The black rhinoceros is a critically endangered species with an estimated population of just over 5000 animals. Black rhinos are threatened by habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife conflict.
- The mountain gorilla is one of the most endangered primates in the world with an estimated population of fewer than 1000 animals. Mountain gorillas are threatened by habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade, and human-wildlife conflict.
Many other animals are endangered in Africa including the cheetah, the African wild dog, and the vulturine guineafowl.
It is important to raise awareness about these animals and the threats they face so that we can work together to protect them.
African Birds
The birds of Africa are amongst the most varied, numerous, and colourful of anywhere in the world. The continent is home to over 2,300 documented bird species, of which 67% are endemic to Africa.
Learn more about the Birds of Africa.
Hippopotamus
The Hippopotamus (hippopotamus amphibius) is the third largest living land mammal on the earth. The first largest is the elephant and the second is the white rhinoceros. A male hippopotamus is called a 'bull', a female hippopotamus is called a 'cow' and a baby hippopotamus is … [Read more...]
Elephants
The word Elephant in latin (as 'ele' and 'phant') means the 'Huge Arch'. Most elephants live in the grasslands of Africa and in the forests of Asia although elephants can live in nearly any habitat that has adequate quantities of food and water. Elephants live in groups called … [Read more...]
Impala
The Impala (Aepyceros melampus) is one of a number of antelopes that live on the African savanna and are found in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Southern Angola to northern South Africa. Impalas are one of the more dominant species of antelope on many african … [Read more...]
African Elephant
African Elephants The African elephant, (Loxodonta Africana), is also known as the 'African Bush Elephant'. Both the African Bush Elephant and the African Forest Elephant have usually been classified as a single species, known simply as the African Elephant. However, the African … [Read more...]
Lion
The lion (Panthera leo) is a large cat of the genus Panthera and belongs to the family Felidae, along with tigers, leopards and jaguars. It is native to Africa and India and is the second largest cat in the world, following the tiger.While once found throughout much of … [Read more...]
Fennec Fox
The Fennec Fox (Vulpes zerda) is a small fox native to the Sahara Desert, the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, and the Arava and Negev deserts in Israel. They are most notable for their very large ears, which are used to both aid their hearing and to help them to control their body … [Read more...]
African Lions
African Lion CharacteristicsThe African Lion has a light tawny coat with white on the abdomen and inside of their legs. The backs of an African lions ears are black in color. The male lions mane ranges in color from tawny to reddish brown to black. The mane gets darker as the … [Read more...]
Okapi
The Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is a mammal located in the Ituri Rainforest in the north east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa.Although it has striped markings similar to those of the zebra, it is more closely related to the giraffe.Native just to … [Read more...]
Poison Arrow Frogs
Poison Arrow Frogs or Poison Dart Frogs is the common names of the 'Dendrobatidae' family of small, diurnal frogs. Poison Arrow Frogs are usually found in Central and South American rainforests, near water sources. Most Poison Arrow Frogs are the size of an adult humans … [Read more...]