Africa is one of the destinations that has the greatest diversity of animals in the world thanks to the ecosystems it possesses. This post will describe the main animals of Africa.
Discover the most fantastic animals of Africa
The animals that can be found in the territory of Africa are wonderful for their exotic characteristics. The reason why this beautiful continent has such a variety of animals is because it has extremely appropriate environmental conditions that have allowed the species to maintain good health and habitat conditions.
Some of the main places where wonderful species can be found are: the tropical forest found in the Salonga National Park, the Sahara desert and the savannah found in the Amboseli National Park.
Within the great variety of animals that can be found there, they can be classified into three different types of them, these are:
- Zoophagous or carnivorous.
- Soprophagous animals.
- Phytophagous or herbivores.
The main of these animals are shown below:
Big Five
In Spanish known as the five greats of Africa, they are five of the most recognized species in the African area, which are: leopard, lion, black rhinoceros, cape buffalo and the elephant. This name was given to these five species mainly to identify them among the tourist guides that are provided on safaris. These are ordered by the level of danger they represent to humans as follows:
- Elephant
- Cape Buffalo
- Leopardo
- black rhino
- León
In addition to that, these animals can also be found in the following countries: Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Botzuana, Republic of Congo, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, and Zambia.
Elephant
This elephant is known as the African elephant. It is recognized worldwide for being the largest mammal in the world. This wonderful animal can measure up to 5 meters in height and 7 meters in length.
Being such a large animal, it can weigh up to 6.000 kilos. In the case of females, they may be smaller in size and weight, but despite that, herds of elephants are governed by a matriarchal system at the time of socializing, so there is always an Alpha female in each of the herds. .
This animal has the main characteristic, in addition to its size, of its Probosid face, which is the formal way of naming its elongated nose. This characteristic allows it to differentiate itself from the other types of herbivorous animals that exist.
Another thing that characterizes the elephant is its large ears that they use as a fan and the long tusks that look like they are made of ivory, which adult males generally have. In the case of females, they have fangs that are much smaller.
The trunk of the elephants is very useful to them because it helps them uproot the grass and leaves that feed them. Their trunk also allows them to drink water.
Elephants are animals that are extremely intelligent and have something that makes them unique, since they have emotional capacities that define them as an animal with sensitivity. But, despite that, wild elephants can become quite dangerous at times when they feel threatened.
When these giant mammals are threatened by something in their environment, they begin to make very strong movements and lunges that can be deadly for any human being.
Due to the large number of elephants hunted in the African zone to smuggle their tusks, it is a species that is vulnerable according to what is dictated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, as well as the Asian elephant.
Cape Buffalo
This fearsome animal is one of those that are considered the most dangerous or fearsome, because any animal or human being that sees it wants to flee. It is an animal that likes to live in herds. They have a high level of courage to face predators when they have to take care of the rest of the herd, which helps them to be able to stampede.
The native populations of Africa have always had a high level of respect for this species of buffalo due to its dangerous nature. At the time when people make tourist trips they must carry collars that are responsible for emitting a sound that is very characteristic and allows the buffaloes not to feel threatened.
Like the species of elephants, it is a species that is in danger of extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Leopardo
This species is known as the African Leopard, it can be found throughout the territory of Sub-Saharan Africa. This animal prefers to live in savannah areas and where there are grasslands. This variety of leopards is the one with the largest height and its weight can be from 24 to 53 kilos, but over time there have been a few leopards that have presented a larger size.
This animal can be found more active in the hours of sunset and sunrise, which makes it position itself as a Crepuscular animal. During the hours when it is active, its great ability to swim, climb and run can be appreciated. For food, the leopard hunts jackals, antelopes, wildebeests, baby giraffes and warthogs.
When this leopard is displayed in a color of pitch black, it is given the name Black Panther. The International Union for Conservation of Nature rules that it is a vulnerable species because there is no longer a large population of them in their natural habitats.
black rhino
This type of Rhinoceros is also known in Africa as the Hook-Lipped Rhinoceros. Is from the african animals largest in history because it can reach a height of up to 2 meters and weigh up to 1.500 kilos. This animal inhabits the areas of Kenya, Angola, South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique, the United Republic of Zimbabwe and Tanzania. For reasons of species preservation, it has been reintroduced in the areas of Eswatini, Malawi, Botswana and Zambia.
It is an animal that has a lot of versatility when it comes to living in different areas, because it has the capacity to be well in desert areas, in areas that are wooded. For this reason he has been allowed to lead a life of 15 to 20 years, in a calm and healthy way.
Although it has a lot of resistance in various types of habitat, it is an endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, this because the Black Rhinoceros has become extinct in the area of Ethiopia, Chad and Cameroon.
León
One of the African Jungle Animals most recognized in the world for its beauty, greatness and power. It is the main predator in Africa, which can be differentiated between females and males by sexual dimorphism, which is demonstrated by the mane that males have and that is not seen in females.
Among the Animals that live in Africa, this is the largest feline in the territory and in the world it is the second largest, being ahead of El Tigre.
The lion is an animal that can weigh up to 260 kilos when it comes to males and females can weigh up to 180 kilos. As for height, these animals can reach 125 centimeters.
This animal lives in herds, in these the lionesses are the ones who take care of the hunt to feed themselves. When hunting, lionesses assess and stalk potential prey. At the time of attacking prey they can run up to 59 kilometers per hour, this with rapid accelerations.
As for food, these animals hunt wildebeest, zebra, antelope and many other animals that they consider they can attack. At the time of hunting, lions always have a constant war with hyenas, due to the fact that they hunt almost the same animals. In fact, lions take great advantage of hyenas, snatching their prey when they manage to catch it.
Like most of Africa's Big 5, the lion is vulnerable as its populations have been declining over the years. There are currently between 23.000 and 39.000 specimens of this wonderful species, of which they are adults.
Other African Animals
Those mentioned above are only the main animals that can be found in the African area, but there are many other animals that can be found in this wonderful area of the world that have very interesting characteristics. The main African Animals are:
Wildebeest
This animal has two types of species that can be found in the African territory, the first is the white-tailed wildebeest that is scientifically known as Connochaetes gnou. Then there is the black-tailed wildebeest, which is scientifically known as Connochaetes taurinus.
It is a species of animal that is quite large, in the case of the black-tailed wildebeest it can weigh up to 200 kilos. In the case of the white-tailed wildebeest, it can weigh up to 150 kilos.
They are a type of animal that lives in herds that can be thousands of copies of this species. Which allows them to be able to generate stampedes.
As for the feeding of the Wildebeest, these are herbivores and are based on plants, foliage and grass. They must be protected from their main predators, which are leopards, hyenas, wild dogs and lions.
Naturally, they are agile animals that can reach 80 kilometers per hour when running and are constantly in an aggressive state because it is a behavior that will help them survive in a habitat with so many predators.
It is not an endangered species.
Warthog
This animal is better known as the Warthog, at a scientific level this animal is among the Phacochoerus animals. In the area of Africa you can find two types of this wild boar, which are scientifically known as Phacochoerus aethiopicus and Phacochoerus africanus.
Conclusion savannah animals, but, they can also be found in areas that are semi-desert. In these areas the Warthogs feed on vegetables and fruits, they also have a diet that is based on carrion, eggs and birds. All these foods make them be an omnivorous species.
It is a species that is quite sociable because they share the areas where they rest, bathe and feed with other animals. They are animals with a high level of intelligence, which allows them to make good use of the nests of other animals to be able to take refuge from predators that want to harm them while they sleep.
In this case, the Warthogs are not in a vulnerable state.
cheetah
Scientifically known as Acinonyx jubatus, it is known worldwide for being the fastest animal in the world on land. This is because in the race it can reach 115 kilometers per hour covering distances of 400 to 500 meters. It is an animal that is mainly characterized by having golden or yellow fur with black spots in the shape of an oval.
It differs from other felines such as the Lion because it is very light, this animal can only weigh 40 to 65 kilos. For this reason it is a predator that hunts smaller prey than other cats. Among its prey you can find hares, gazelles, young ungulates or impalas. To hunt these animals, the cheetah only lasts 30 seconds thanks to its speed.
Like many of the exotic animals, it is an animal that is in a vulnerable situation because the population of this fantastic animal has dropped to only 7.000 adults, as is the case with the Bengal tiger.
Mongoose
Known as Grated Mongoose, it can be found in many countries that belong to the continent of Africa. It is a type of carnivore that has a fairly small size that does not even weigh one kilo. Despite being quite small in size, it is quite a dangerous animal for being violent, so much so that they have been the cause of deaths and injuries in the communities.
They are animals that live in places in groups of 10 to 40 members of the same species, communicating with each other using pure growls. These individuals that make up the group sleep together and depending on their age, they have different hierarchies, but the females are the ones in charge of leading the group.
As for their diet, this is based on reptiles, insects and birds. They are not in danger.
Termite
This small insect can go somewhat unnoticed in the African area because it is not one of the most striking like the 5 big ones in Africa. Despite that, this little animal plays a very important role because it contributes to the biodiversity and balance of everything that is the Savannah of Africa.
In their small size, they are animals that have very advanced characteristics, because they grow Termitomyces fungi, which are used to generate their own food. They also have a caste system which is quite good, because at the top of this hierarchical order is the King and Queen.
As for the nests they have, millions of insects live there, which provide the soil with many nutrients that allow water to be channeled, for this reason their nests are surrounded by plants and other small animals.
savannah of africa
In the territory of the Savannah of Africa it is known as the line that divides the jungle part and the deserts of the great African diversity. Within the Savannah you can find many minerals such as iron, areas of intense red colors and little vegetation.
The temperature of the savannah can be from 20°C to 30°C. In a period of about 6 months there can be a very strong drought and when the other six months pass there are many rains. In this ecosystem you can find the following animals.
white rhino
Scientifically this animal is known as Ceratotherium simum. Its common habitat is in the area of Kenya, Zambia, South Africa and Botswana, there are some other places, but those named are the most common.
This animal has subspecies, in total there are two that are known as the Northern and Southern White Rhinoceros. Unfortunately, the Northern White Rhino has been extinct in the wild since the 2018 season. But there are two specimens that are female and are cared for in captivity.
It is a fairly large animal, in adulthood they can reach 1.80 centimeters and weigh up to 2.500 kilos.
Due to its diet, it is classified as a herbivorous animal, with a diet based on the savannah and grasslands. When it runs, it can do so at 50 kilometers per hour and as it lives in herds of 10 to 20 members of the same species, they are capable of stampeding at the aforementioned speed.
When they turn 7 years old, they reach maturity at a sexual level and unfortunately they are in danger of extinction, this is due to the high rates of hunting in which they are found, just to be able to make jewelry and handicrafts, the same thing that happens with the javanese rhinoceros.
Zebra
It is one of the most famous animals for its peculiarity and in the African area you can find three different subspecies of zebras that are:
- La common zebra, which is scientifically known as Equus quagga.
- Equus zebra or better known as the mountain zebras.
- Grevyi's Zebra which in science is known as Equus grevyi.
Pleasantly, it is an animal that is not threatened with extinction or vulnerability because its specimens are abundant. It is a type of animal that is classified in the group of equidae. It is an animal that has never been domesticated and only lives in areas of Africa.
Its diet makes it Herbivorous, having a diet that is based on leaves, grass and plant shoots. Sometimes they also feed on tender branches and the bark of trees.
When it comes to the common zebra and the mountain zebra, they are quite sociable animals because they have the natural ability to form groups, which are known as "Harems", which are made up of a male and several females, then the foals join . In the case of the Grévyi's Zebra, it is not so sociable.
Gazelle
There are 40 species that belong to the group or genus known as Gazella, all of these are called Gazelle. Currently, many of the species that make up the Gazella group are extinct.
They are animals that live mainly in the savannah area of Africa, but specimens can be found in southwestern Asia.
Its body is very slender, made up of a face and elongated legs. They have a high level of agility to escape and when running they can reach 97 kilometers per hour. They are animals that sleep little, in fact, they never sleep more than an hour.
They live in groups and they never separate and can be made up of thousands of Gazelles. They are not animals that are in a state of vulnerability.
Ostrich
In Africa you can find the largest bird in the world, called Struthio camelus and better known as the Ostrich. It is an animal that can reach 250 centimeters in height and weigh up to 150 kilos.
It is an animal that has many capacities for adaptation in habitats, so it lives well in areas that are arid or semi-arid. That is why it is an animal that is found not only in Africa, but also in Arabia.
It has a diet that is based on carrion, plants, and arthropods, which is why it qualifies as an omnivorous animal.
This species has sexual dimorphism, like lions. This means that males have a characteristic that distinguishes them from females. In the case of the ostrich, the male is black and the females are brown or gray.
As if the large size of this animal were not enough, the eggs it lays are also extremely large, so much so that they can weigh from 1 to 2 kilos. Best of all, they are not endangered animals.
Giraffe
Also called Giraffa camelopardalis, it is an animal that lives in the savannah area of Africa, but with its adaptive capabilities it can be found in grasslands and forests. It is recognized worldwide for being the tallest of all land animals, since it can measure up to 580 centimeters in height and weigh from 700 to 1.600 kilos.
Their diet is based on shrubs, fruits, and herbs. Studies have shown that an adult giraffe can eat up to 34 kilos of its diet per day. What includes it in the list of the Herbivorous animals.
They are also animals that live in herds that are made up of more than 30 individuals, among whom they form quite affectionate social relationships that last a long time.
Giraffes usually only have one calf and very rarely have twins. To reach sexual maturity they must be between 3 or 4 years old.
Unfortunately, it is a vulnerable species due to the decrease in numbers.
jungle of africa
In the case of the African jungle, it is a fairly large area that covers much of what is known as central and southern Africa. It is an area that has a lot of humidity due to the large amount of rainfall, which allows a fairly cool temperature, much more than the savannah.
Temperatures in the African Jungle can range from 10°C to 27°C. Due to these temperatures there are different animals than in the Savannah, these can be:
Hippo
In this case, we are talking about the common hippopotamus, which is considered the third largest land animal in the world, weighing between 1.300 and 1.500 kilos. At the time of running it can reach 30 kilometers per hour.
It is an animal that likes to live in mangroves, rivers and also in lakes, because it uses them to cool off at times when it is hotter. Hippopotamuses can be found from Egypt to Mozambique, but since they have four species that are different and have spread throughout the African territory.
Their behavior is generally aggressive, regardless of whether they are the same species or not. For this reason, they are animals that attack people who approach them a lot.
They are animals that are in a vulnerable state, because they are hunted a lot to use the ivory they have in their tusks. They also use their meat for food for local populations.
Crocodile
When talking about crocodiles, you have to know that they have three different species that can be found in the African forest areas. There's the desert crocodile, the Nile crocodile, and the African snout crocodile.
It is an animal of the reptile type that has an enormous size that can be up to 6 meters long and this animal can be seen in lagoons, wetlands and rivers, there are some species that live in salt water. In terms of weight, it can be 1.500 kilos.
Their diet is based on other small animals, which can be vertebrates or invertebrates. They are animals that can live up to 80 years and some of the species are in danger of extinction.
Gorilla
As for this animal, there are two different species that are; the eastern and western gorilla. These can be found in the forest area of Africa.
They have a diet that is considered herbivorous, since they always consume foliage. As for socialization, they are characterized by being animals that have a fairly defined structure in which the silverback male leads, then the females and all the descendants follow.
You must take great care of the leopard that is positioned as its top predator.
They are animals with a lot of intelligence, with which they can use tools to have their food and build their nests to be able to sleep.
Another of the main characteristics that gorillas have is their impressive strength, but, unfortunately, it is a species that is in great danger of extinction due to the sharp decline in its populations.
Parrot
It is known as the African Gray Parrot, which is found in many parts of the African territory, assuming that it is a species that has been in the area for a long time, being extremely old.
This small animal can reach 30 centimeters in length and can weigh from 350 to 400 grams.
Their lifespan can reach up to 60 years of age, during which time they are very sociable animals, highly intelligent and sensitive. These characteristics have allowed him to speak.
Unfortunately, it is one of the animals that is in danger of extinction.
Piton
This snake is the largest in the world, measuring up to 5 meters in length and weighing up to 100 kilos, it is also known as the African Rock Python or Seba. It is a reptile that can be found in many of the African areas that have a sub-Saharan environment.
Because it is an animal that has suffered from the illegal trafficking of animals to be pets, it has also developed in the Florida area.
How many animals are in danger of extinction?
Unfortunately, throughout the world there are species that are in danger of extinction as can be seen in the list of Endangered Animals in Guatemala. But in one of the places with a large number of species such as Africa, the endangered species are the following:
- black rhino
- African White-backed Vulture
- African snout crocodile
- white rhino
- african wild ass
- Cape Penguin
- african wild dog
- African Damselfly
- african bat
- ghost frog
- giant african frog
- Mount Kahuzi Climbing Mouse
- Congo Owl
- humpback dolphin
- Perret's water frog
- Zambezi flipper turtle
- african caecilian
- Amphibian of the genus Caecilidae
- Pickersgill's cane frog
- Sao Tome Frog
- kenyan frog
- African spotted catfish
- cecilia de sagala
- Juliana's golden mole
- Clarke's Banana Frog
- Malagasy giant rat
- Geometric turtle
- northern white rhino
- Grevyi's Zebra
- African snout crocodile
- western gorilla
- eastern gorilla
- african gray parrot
There is a great struggle to avoid Species extinction, which are carried out with animal reserves mainly and not only in Africa, but these fights are also carried out with the Endangered Animals in Honduras and many other countries.
Discover other animals of Africa
In addition to the animals mentioned, Africa has a very wide range of animals that were not mentioned. These animals are:
- Jackal
- barn
- Chimpanzee
- Flamenco
- Impala
- Crane
- Pelican
- Stork
- Rabbit
- african porcupine
- Camel
- Red Deer
- african mouse
- Orangutan
- Marabou
- Hare
- army ant
- Mandril
- Suricato
- african tortoise
- Sheep
- eared fox
- gerbil
- nile monitor lizard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WpMGgsWY7M