Africa A continent rich in different habitats, and amazing creatures. You can find much more than just Lions and Giraffes here, we have Fennec Foxes, and Spiny Tailed Lizards from the dry Sahara desert. Gorillas and Hyraxes from the rainforests and jungles. And a whole bunch of animals from the vast african Savannahs!
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Fennec Fox
These cute critters have a few more secrets then just those big ears! For instance
Fennec foxes are mostly nocturnal that's one of the reasons they have such big ears,
so they can hear things really well in the dark. You may be wondering, "Why do they
even bother having such big ear if the can just stay awake during the day and sleep
during the night?" Well the reason is, simply, because it's ten times safer!
Fennec foxes are mostly nocturnal that's one of the reasons they have such big ears,
so they can hear things really well in the dark. You may be wondering, "Why do they
even bother having such big ear if the can just stay awake during the day and sleep
during the night?" Well the reason is, simply, because it's ten times safer!
Harvester Termite
Normally when people see a termite they think, "eww! gross" but there's actually so much
more to these little termite. For instance most termites live in huge piles that they make
out of mud, but these live in little tunnels underground! and they only eat grass and other
plants! but they're not greedy with their food, they don't just eat it on the spot, they bring it
back to the tunnel and store it in a food storage place for later, so that all the termites can
enjoy it!
more to these little termite. For instance most termites live in huge piles that they make
out of mud, but these live in little tunnels underground! and they only eat grass and other
plants! but they're not greedy with their food, they don't just eat it on the spot, they bring it
back to the tunnel and store it in a food storage place for later, so that all the termites can
enjoy it!
African Wild Dog
These are some of the best hunters in all of Africa! Main reason being because
they hunt in packs, and they surround their prey, so whenever an animal runs to
escape from one African Wild Dog there is another one right there!
African Wild Dogs aren't like most species of dogs. For instance most dogs
have five toes on each foot these have only four. Also, an alpha female in the pack
can have up to twenty puppies per litter!
they hunt in packs, and they surround their prey, so whenever an animal runs to
escape from one African Wild Dog there is another one right there!
African Wild Dogs aren't like most species of dogs. For instance most dogs
have five toes on each foot these have only four. Also, an alpha female in the pack
can have up to twenty puppies per litter!
Honey Badger
This little fellow may seem cute at a glance, but these creatures are actually very
tough! they have been known to scare away even lions! Now as ruthless as they may
seem these little critters are actually very tough! You may be wondering why they are
called Honey badgers, well the reason is because they love honey, and they will brake
into a be hive and steel all the honey from it, and spray the bees with a powerful odor
like skunks so that the bees don't sting the honey badger. You may be wondering how
the honey badger finds the bee hives, well they do it be following the tweet of a bird
called the honey guide who is attracted to honey. This kind of relationship between the
Honey badger and the Honey guide is called a symbiotic relationship, were both
animals get something out of the deal: The Honey badger gets food, and the Honey
guide gets the leftovers which is just enough for such a small animal!
tough! they have been known to scare away even lions! Now as ruthless as they may
seem these little critters are actually very tough! You may be wondering why they are
called Honey badgers, well the reason is because they love honey, and they will brake
into a be hive and steel all the honey from it, and spray the bees with a powerful odor
like skunks so that the bees don't sting the honey badger. You may be wondering how
the honey badger finds the bee hives, well they do it be following the tweet of a bird
called the honey guide who is attracted to honey. This kind of relationship between the
Honey badger and the Honey guide is called a symbiotic relationship, were both
animals get something out of the deal: The Honey badger gets food, and the Honey
guide gets the leftovers which is just enough for such a small animal!
Caracal
Caracals are great jumpers, they can jump up to ten ft. high! They are one of the only cats that can
catch prey two or three times their size. Another animal very similar to the Caracal is the smaller
Serval, these animals are similar in many ways, for example: They are both nocturnal, the can both
jump very high, and they are both medium sized cats that live in Africa.
Caracals are known to leap ten ft. in the air, and catch a bird in flight! Caracals mainly catch
Guinea Fowls, even if they are ten feet in the air.
catch prey two or three times their size. Another animal very similar to the Caracal is the smaller
Serval, these animals are similar in many ways, for example: They are both nocturnal, the can both
jump very high, and they are both medium sized cats that live in Africa.
Caracals are known to leap ten ft. in the air, and catch a bird in flight! Caracals mainly catch
Guinea Fowls, even if they are ten feet in the air.
Aardvark
Aardvarks provide homes for many animals that can't dig their own homes. Aardvarks dig
holes to live in, and animals like Warthogs, Porcupines, and even ducks! move into
abandoned Aardvark holes.
Aardvarks like to eat ants and termites. They have a 12 in. tongue that can slurp
up 100 termites or ants at a time! Aardvarks have special claws that allow them to dig
through super hard termite mounds, to get to the termites. You can see how they resemble
an Anteater, not just in shape, but in actions, they both eat ants, they both use they're claws
to get to ants or termites, and they both have a super long tongue!
holes to live in, and animals like Warthogs, Porcupines, and even ducks! move into
abandoned Aardvark holes.
Aardvarks like to eat ants and termites. They have a 12 in. tongue that can slurp
up 100 termites or ants at a time! Aardvarks have special claws that allow them to dig
through super hard termite mounds, to get to the termites. You can see how they resemble
an Anteater, not just in shape, but in actions, they both eat ants, they both use they're claws
to get to ants or termites, and they both have a super long tongue!
Gorilla
Gorillas are apes, not Monkeys. Some of the main differences between Monkeys and Apes
are 1: Apes stand up right, and are taller, While monkeys are small and are more hunched
over. 2: Apes don't have tails, and Monkeys do. 3: Apes are much smarter, and have a highly
developed brain, but Monkeys aren't as smart and have smaller brain. And, 4: Apes have
longer front legs then back legs, while Monkeys have all the same length legs.
Gorillas are mostly ground dwellers, and are often too heavy for trees! Gorillas are
so strong that if they wanted to they could squeeze a human to death! But don't worry
Gorillas are also very shy and don't approach humans unless they absolutely have to.
Gorillas live in groups of 6-12, but at sundown Gorillas make their own nest out of leaves
and sleep with the rest of the group.
are 1: Apes stand up right, and are taller, While monkeys are small and are more hunched
over. 2: Apes don't have tails, and Monkeys do. 3: Apes are much smarter, and have a highly
developed brain, but Monkeys aren't as smart and have smaller brain. And, 4: Apes have
longer front legs then back legs, while Monkeys have all the same length legs.
Gorillas are mostly ground dwellers, and are often too heavy for trees! Gorillas are
so strong that if they wanted to they could squeeze a human to death! But don't worry
Gorillas are also very shy and don't approach humans unless they absolutely have to.
Gorillas live in groups of 6-12, but at sundown Gorillas make their own nest out of leaves
and sleep with the rest of the group.
Thomson's Gazelle
Gazelles are very fast, reaching up to 40 mph. however they usually only reach this speed if they
are being chased by a predator. Gazelles live in herds, there are two kinds of Gazelle herds. The
two kinds of Gazelle herds are, female herds, and Bachelor herds. When a mother gives birth to
up to two children after a six month pregnancy, if the child is a girl it will join it's mothers herd,
but if it is a boy it will go find a bachelor herd to join. Herds can consist of a minimum of ten
gazelles to a maximum of hundreds and thousands. The more animals in a herd, the better,
because if they're being chased by a predator they run around avoiding the predator, and
confusing it with a haze of orange splotched moving around so quickly you can barely tell
if they're still there.
are being chased by a predator. Gazelles live in herds, there are two kinds of Gazelle herds. The
two kinds of Gazelle herds are, female herds, and Bachelor herds. When a mother gives birth to
up to two children after a six month pregnancy, if the child is a girl it will join it's mothers herd,
but if it is a boy it will go find a bachelor herd to join. Herds can consist of a minimum of ten
gazelles to a maximum of hundreds and thousands. The more animals in a herd, the better,
because if they're being chased by a predator they run around avoiding the predator, and
confusing it with a haze of orange splotched moving around so quickly you can barely tell
if they're still there.
Jackal
Jackals are one of the few mammals that mate for life. However not all Jackals mate,
some stay single for there entire life, if they do mate the pair will own territory together,
and hunt together. Jackals are sometimes found in small packs, but these packs
usually consist of family member who respond to each others call. a Jackal will not
respond to another jackals call if they are not in their family. Jackals have a strong
relationship with their family, and will often go hunting together cooperating to get more
food.
some stay single for there entire life, if they do mate the pair will own territory together,
and hunt together. Jackals are sometimes found in small packs, but these packs
usually consist of family member who respond to each others call. a Jackal will not
respond to another jackals call if they are not in their family. Jackals have a strong
relationship with their family, and will often go hunting together cooperating to get more
food.
Meerkat
Meerkats don't play with warthogs all day like the lion king movie may have lead you to
believe. They actually live in underground burrows with 30 or so others. Mobs of Meerkats
consist of several family groups. Meerkats use scent pouches under their tails to to mark
their territory, Meerkat mobs usually stay in their own territory because they are so territorial,
and can be really aggressive if they want to. Meerkats have dark shadings around their
eyes to protect from the hot sun much like a football player puts dark lines under their
eyes to protect from the sun.
believe. They actually live in underground burrows with 30 or so others. Mobs of Meerkats
consist of several family groups. Meerkats use scent pouches under their tails to to mark
their territory, Meerkat mobs usually stay in their own territory because they are so territorial,
and can be really aggressive if they want to. Meerkats have dark shadings around their
eyes to protect from the hot sun much like a football player puts dark lines under their
eyes to protect from the sun.
Spiny Tailed Lizard
You can see where it gets it's name. The Spiny tailed lizards tailed lizards are short, and flat. They
have strong limbs, and a big head. They are the largest member of their genus, and like others of
it's genus they change color according to the outside temperature. For example if the temperature
is hot they change from black to yellow or white.
These lizards usually live in colonies with a lot of territory with several deep burrows used
as a shelter from many predators. These lizards head out during the day to find food like buds, leaves,
seeds, and fruit, this makes them diurnal.
These animals live in dry climates like Egypt. One of their biggest threats is people taking
things from their natural environment like plants to make medicine, and to eat.
have strong limbs, and a big head. They are the largest member of their genus, and like others of
it's genus they change color according to the outside temperature. For example if the temperature
is hot they change from black to yellow or white.
These lizards usually live in colonies with a lot of territory with several deep burrows used
as a shelter from many predators. These lizards head out during the day to find food like buds, leaves,
seeds, and fruit, this makes them diurnal.
These animals live in dry climates like Egypt. One of their biggest threats is people taking
things from their natural environment like plants to make medicine, and to eat.
Cheetah
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the entire world, but something you may not
know is that they are not the fastest animals in the world. The Peregrine Falcon is the
fastest animal in the world reaching speeds of up to 200 MPH! Cheetahs are pretty fast,
but they can only maintain their top speed for about a quarter of a mile before they have
to rest. Cheetah cubs (right) are much fuzzier then their mothers, reason being so that if a
hyena, or some other predator comes to eat them they can camouflage very well in the
tall savanna grass.
Cheetahs usually have up 9 cubs, but an average littler size would be around 3-5.
when they get older the male cubs leave, and find a mate, or sometimes they join a group
of cheetahs that consists of around 3 or 4 members. You may wonder why cheetahs have
dark streaks under their eyes, well think about why football player have streaks under their
eyes, to keep the sun from bothering them. If a cheetah is in the tall savanna grass with sun
beaming down on them, they naturally need some sort of sunglasses!
know is that they are not the fastest animals in the world. The Peregrine Falcon is the
fastest animal in the world reaching speeds of up to 200 MPH! Cheetahs are pretty fast,
but they can only maintain their top speed for about a quarter of a mile before they have
to rest. Cheetah cubs (right) are much fuzzier then their mothers, reason being so that if a
hyena, or some other predator comes to eat them they can camouflage very well in the
tall savanna grass.
Cheetahs usually have up 9 cubs, but an average littler size would be around 3-5.
when they get older the male cubs leave, and find a mate, or sometimes they join a group
of cheetahs that consists of around 3 or 4 members. You may wonder why cheetahs have
dark streaks under their eyes, well think about why football player have streaks under their
eyes, to keep the sun from bothering them. If a cheetah is in the tall savanna grass with sun
beaming down on them, they naturally need some sort of sunglasses!
Guinea Fowl
Guinea Fowls aren't great at flying, they, however, sometimes can fly in short bursts at a
time. Since they can't fly to defend themselves they live in groups of up to 200! If they are
being attacked by a predator they can go on a flapping frenzy to confuse the predator. At
night Guinea Fowls sleep in trees to avoid the many predators who hunt at night to keep
out of the sun. Male and female Guinea Fowls mate for life, when the female lays 7-20 eggs
she has to incubate them for 28 days while the male keeps guard to protect the babies and
mother.
time. Since they can't fly to defend themselves they live in groups of up to 200! If they are
being attacked by a predator they can go on a flapping frenzy to confuse the predator. At
night Guinea Fowls sleep in trees to avoid the many predators who hunt at night to keep
out of the sun. Male and female Guinea Fowls mate for life, when the female lays 7-20 eggs
she has to incubate them for 28 days while the male keeps guard to protect the babies and
mother.
Puff Adder
Now known to you as the Puff Adder, known to others as the deadliest snake in Africa. Their
bite could kill up to seven men because of their venom. It's name speaks for itself because when
bitten you will literally have a "puff added" to you, and by that I mean a pink puffy scar will be added to your
skin. Without proper medication you could be left with about a day to live after being bitten by
one of these. They also camouflage very well with the sandy African savanna they live in.
One thing people don't imagine when they see this is that they are very slow and fat. Which is
exactly what makes them dangerous, they would rather fight you then get out of your way. This
is because of how hard it is for them to move.
bite could kill up to seven men because of their venom. It's name speaks for itself because when
bitten you will literally have a "puff added" to you, and by that I mean a pink puffy scar will be added to your
skin. Without proper medication you could be left with about a day to live after being bitten by
one of these. They also camouflage very well with the sandy African savanna they live in.
One thing people don't imagine when they see this is that they are very slow and fat. Which is
exactly what makes them dangerous, they would rather fight you then get out of your way. This
is because of how hard it is for them to move.
Wildebeest
They native tribes of Africa gave the Wildebeest, or Wild Beast it's name because of it's evil appearance.
The Wildebeest turned out to be not evil, but a food source of lions, and other animals who may want to
eat, or steal from the native people. They can be up to 8 ft. long 5 ft. tall. Every year Wildebeest, Zebra,
and other grazing animals perform an amazing migration north where there is greener grass. It is truly
spectacular to watch they all line up, and not stop moving in one steady direction for hours.
The Wildebeest turned out to be not evil, but a food source of lions, and other animals who may want to
eat, or steal from the native people. They can be up to 8 ft. long 5 ft. tall. Every year Wildebeest, Zebra,
and other grazing animals perform an amazing migration north where there is greener grass. It is truly
spectacular to watch they all line up, and not stop moving in one steady direction for hours.
Dik-dik
The dik-dik is not only by far the one and only cutest little animal I personally have ever seen, and
I know I say that a lot!Dik-dik's are like tiny little dwarf antelopes! Believe it or not they only
stands at 14in. (35.6cm.)! This gentle little mammal only weighs about 6 lbs (2.7kg), and lives near
eastern and central Africa in dryish bushlands. Their name actually comes from a sound they make,
when females feel alarmed they make a sound like, "dik-dik". Being so small they have many
predators including Baboons, Pythons, Caracals, Monitor lizards, Leopards, Hawks, and many more.
Territory during and not during the mating season is not very strict, in the rare case that two males do
have a territorial dispute they charge at each other then abruptly stop short, nod their heads, then turn
around. Just goes to show these little guys are not only tiny and cute, but also very peaceful.
I know I say that a lot!Dik-dik's are like tiny little dwarf antelopes! Believe it or not they only
stands at 14in. (35.6cm.)! This gentle little mammal only weighs about 6 lbs (2.7kg), and lives near
eastern and central Africa in dryish bushlands. Their name actually comes from a sound they make,
when females feel alarmed they make a sound like, "dik-dik". Being so small they have many
predators including Baboons, Pythons, Caracals, Monitor lizards, Leopards, Hawks, and many more.
Territory during and not during the mating season is not very strict, in the rare case that two males do
have a territorial dispute they charge at each other then abruptly stop short, nod their heads, then turn
around. Just goes to show these little guys are not only tiny and cute, but also very peaceful.
Hyrax
Hyraxes live in groups of about 50 members, they live in pretty much any place from the
African Savannah to the dense African rainforest. However, they don't go at a higher altitude
than 14,000 feet. They live in places like Benin, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger,
South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Congo, Kazungula,
Limpopo, Maasai, Steppe, Virunga, Zambezi, and many more. They are known to live in more
than 20 African countries. They have 5 subspecies, but what you may not realize is that they
are said to be the Elephants closest relative.
African Savannah to the dense African rainforest. However, they don't go at a higher altitude
than 14,000 feet. They live in places like Benin, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger,
South Africa, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Congo, Kazungula,
Limpopo, Maasai, Steppe, Virunga, Zambezi, and many more. They are known to live in more
than 20 African countries. They have 5 subspecies, but what you may not realize is that they
are said to be the Elephants closest relative.
Pangolin
The Pangolin not only has a funny name, but also a funny appearance! They like to live in woodlands and
savannahs, as long as they have an easy access point from their homes to a water source. One of the
reasons they like to be around trees, is so they have an easy escape from their predators. Some predators
of their's include: Leopards, Hyenas, and of course, humans. These animals are in the middle of the food
chain, they are eaten by some, and eat other species, mainly insects, to be exact. You may notice that the
pangolin has scales to protect itself from predators, like us. Their scales make up for an impecable 20% of
their body weight!
savannahs, as long as they have an easy access point from their homes to a water source. One of the
reasons they like to be around trees, is so they have an easy escape from their predators. Some predators
of their's include: Leopards, Hyenas, and of course, humans. These animals are in the middle of the food
chain, they are eaten by some, and eat other species, mainly insects, to be exact. You may notice that the
pangolin has scales to protect itself from predators, like us. Their scales make up for an impecable 20% of
their body weight!