A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Unlike the black mamba, the deadliest snake in Africa, it is less aggressive and more likely to retreat when threatened

Has the incredible ability to swallow eggs that are much larger than its own head

Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound

One of the easiest birds of prey to identify from a distance

Known for their vibrant colors, which can change rapidly in response to their environment, mood, or social interactions

Spend most of their time lurking in the thick reeds and grasses, only venturing out when they absolutely have to

Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!

A bat with a face that looks like it belongs on a comic superhero!

Instead of a bony shell, it has a flat, leathery covering that helps it glide smoothly through the water

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

Have been observed remembering the locations of their impaled prey and even using tools to help them catch food

A bird as big as a crow but with feathers that shimmer an unbelievable shade of blue

Covered in tough, overlapping scales made of keratin — the same material human fingernails are made from

Underneath this colorful beak, there’s a hidden surprise – a built-in net for scooping up a delicious lunch!

True to their name, they transform into protective balls when threatened, tucking their heads in for ultimate defense

The biggest of all the hammerhead sharks, with a massive head that looks like a giant, flat hammer

Popular food fish, prized for its mild flavor and firm texture

A champion swimmer and a social butterfly of the warm seas

They bob their heads up and down as they fly, which is actually how they earned the nickname “Noddy”

Known for their acrobatic leaps, twisting and turning gracefully as they jump completely out of the water

Often seen riding the bow waves of boats or performing acrobatic leaps out of the water

Often seen as a symbol of strength, freedom, and keen vision in many African communities

With its striking appearance and distinctive call, it is often referred to as the “voice of Africa”

Itd name means “tree snake” in Afrikaans and Dutch, a fitting description of its arboreal lifestyle

Notoriously grumpy, always putting on a dramatic hissy fit when approached

During breeding, they transform with elegant white plumage, adorned by decorative plumes on the head, neck, and back

They were commonly depicted in art from ancient Egypt

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

They eat almost anything that comes their way – you name it, they’ll try to snack on it!

Speed and power embodied, they rule the seas with their sleek bodies and jaw-dropping leaping prowess

Fearless and formidable, these aggressive predators command respect in the waters they roam

Gentle giants of the sea, with mouths wide open to filter the ocean’s bounty

Majestic ocean predators, embodying power, speed, and precision in their pursuit of prey

Most diverse species of a gorilla; inhabits midwest Africa

Disappearing graceful shadows, this tree-climber is on the way to extinction

Often called ‘whispering’ bats because their echolocation used to access the area and prey location are low intensity and not strong

They hold their food tightly and closely to their bodies while feeding, preventing the food from being stolen by other bats

1.6 ton (1.5 tonne) + 48 km/h (30 mph) = what do you think?

Due to their adaptability and willingness to migrate to more favorable habitats, great cormorants are found worldwide

African darters or ‘snakebirds’ are expert underwater fishermen equipped with stealth, diving skills, and a spear-like bill

The most cosmopolitan of owls with home ranges extending across the globe

Pinked patched endanger penguin

This species is found in all world oceans except the north Pacific Ocean

These petrels stylishly ride the ocean waves like they own the winds

This cute and small bird is one of the most elite hunters below the water’s surface

The master hunter and the bane of the bees

Professional marine forecasters to optimize breeding success and prey availability

The hammerheads of the bird kingdom

The fossil records suggest that this species has been on this planet for millions of years

This large heron is a firm believer in the adage: “Patience is the key to success”

The most numerous wild bird species in the world

Living around smelly brackish marshes is unthinkable, but these birds love their isolated habitat or don’t have a sense of smell

Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see a fluffy tail on these birds – it’s a misnomer

Native to Africa, it is the best-known bird of its family, broadly introduced as domesticated species

At the speed of over 321 km/h (200 mph), this bird outraces a Formula1 car

The only member of the genus having wide distribution across Asia and Africa is sociable, unlike other members of its family

Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe

Their dull mousy-brown color justifies the name pretty well

As the name suggests, this whitish stork has a bright red face and a distinctively long yellow bill

The colorful stork of Africa

The folktale bird that brings the babies!

An unrushed flyboy from Africa

This bird taps its feet to imitate rain to make the prey reach the surface

Elegant long-legged wader, common almost worldwide

The janitors of the bird world

This bird can give any cross-country runner a run for their money

This bird holds the record of the longest distance flown by any bird in recorded history

Global Warming got nothing on this bird

Looks no less than a renaissance masterpiece

These enthusiastic travelers can be seen almost worldwide in different seasons

Dependable wings and a muscular build. Nope, we aren’t talking about the next Redbull ad campaign

The yellow-eyed devil

One of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution habituating all continents except Antarctica

Dig large subterranean burrows that other animals can hide in during fires, hence preventing wildlife deaths

Inhabiting humid forests in West Africa; they are the smallest of the three elephant species

Living in troops, a real-life example of “All for one, and one for all”

Thought to be the goddess of the sea known as “Maame Water” in many coastal legends of western Africa

Got their common name due to their resemblance to otters and shrews, but not true otters nor shrews

Live in harmony with a parasite causes the deadly Sleeping sickness in humans

Appeared in Egyptian paintings from 300 B.C., it is known as “Pharaoh’s cat” and is considered a holy animal that is housed in temples

Also known as Laughing Hyena, it gets chewed a lot for being cruddy and a good-for-nothing scavenger!

They are also called ‘zorilla’ which comes from the Spanish word ‘zorro’, meaning small fox, but they are not fox

A skunk mimic, besides a similar appearance, also releases smelly fluid from its anal gland when they feel threatened

Well known for their ferocity, these fearless little creatures are always ready to take on an entire pride of lions

Owners of the longest legs-for-body-size of all cats are widespread in sub-Saharan savannahs

There is still a lot to learn about this already threatened species

Larger than its jackal relatives and easily distinguishable with white stripes on the sides

Graceful animals with V-shaped horns have royal and aristocratic looks

They are also known as the “black death” or “widowmaker,” which says a lot about them – dangerous!

Unlike most mammals, male water chevrotains are smaller than the female

Widely distributed and the only pigs that live in grasslands

Residing in eastern Africa, Mandrills are the world’s largest monkeys (but not of apes)

Thought to be a population of the Grey-cheeked mangabey until it upgraded to a new species in 2007

The most wide-ranging of all baboons, native to 25 equatorial African countries

Our closest living relative from the wild