Africa is the second largest continent in the world and home to a variety of wildlife. From large cats to the smallest of insect, and from the most venomous snakes to the second largest crocodiles in the world, all have made the African continent their home.
Apart from this, three of the six species of the great apes (humans not included), the eastern and western gorillas, the bonobo and the common chimpanzees can also be found living on this landmass. Africa is a hotbed for fauna, so let us delve into the facts about the wildlife that roams the mountains, plains, and deserts of this continent.
Hippos are one of the most dangerous animals of Africa and do not tolerate any encroachment upon their territory. They are also surprisingly fast runners despite their bulk, being able to reach speeds of up to 19 mph (30 km per hour). They are well-adapted to swimming underwater, where, their weight takes them right to the bottom of the water body, mostly shallow. They have also been known to attack and capsize small boats, injuring, sometimes even killing the passengers.
Africa is home to one of the most tenacious animals in the world, the honey badger or ratel. Despite being less than half the lion’s size, these mustelids have been seen standing up to and surviving attacks by whole prides of lions.
Baboons make alarm calls to warn any nearby animals if there are predators like cheetahs and hyenas in the vicinity, making herds of ungulates and other potential preys to scamper off. Other animals that also make warning calls are the impala, vervet monkeys, francolins, and ox-peckers.
Horned African Animal
The great migration
The great African migration involves countless wildebeests, gazelles and, zebras. They undertake a long pilgrimage from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara in Kenya, where there are plenty of luscious grazing grounds for the millions to feed on.
They start their expedition in March and April and reach the Masai Mara in June or July, and by September, the animals start their migration back to the Serengeti.
Pictures of African Animals
Endangered African animals
In spite of being a haven for wildlife, many species of animals living in Africa are considered endangered and critically endangered. The riverine or bushman rabbit, found in South Africa, has been critically endangered since 2004, as per the IUCN. The chimpanzee has been driven to endangerment and considered as such since 1996.
The African wild dog is also on the endangered list, as is the Ethiopian wolf. One of the most critically endangered animals in Africa is the rhinoceros, the black rhino and one subspecies of white species, the Northern white rhino.
African Watering Hole Animals
What measures are being taken for conservation
Despite so many species being on the brink of extinction, conservation efforts are well underway to get them back from there. The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and many other conservation bodies have ramped up security for all threatened species of the continent, and as well as for those which are not threatened yet.
There are forest rangers as well as sniffer dogs to make sure that animals are safe from hunting. The lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and the Cape buffalo are considered the big five ‘game’ of Africa with people from all over the world still trying to hunt them for monetary gain.
African Game Animals
Interesting Facts
Some of the fastest terrestrial animals are found in Africa. These are the cheetah, springbok, wildebeest, and the lion.
