A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere

Despite its name, it is not closely related to shrews or elephants—it is more closely related to aardvarks and golden moles

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

Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!

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!

People sometimes call it the “four-eyed antelope” because of the dark spots under its eyes

Males are particularly eye-catching with their black and white plumage, looking like they’re wearing a little tuxedo

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

Its imperial imagery and fierce demeanor have made it a symbol of power and nobility throughout history

Most common and widely distributed swallow globally

The smallest of all the crane species and is known for its elegance and grace

Very active and noisy, with a loud, piercing call that sounds like “pee-wit”

Often called the “singer of the night,” it produces a complex and beautiful melody that has captivated people for centuries

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

Often chasing each other in the air or amusing themselves by catching and dropping objects like sticks or leaves

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

Its striking blue skin, coupled with its long, bare neck, gives it an uncanny resemblance to a vulture, hence its name

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!

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

Skilled builders — can build giant communal nests with multiple chambers, like a bird apartment building!

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

The direct ancestor of the domestic cat—no wonder why they look so alike!

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

One of Africa’s most striking and majestic antelope species. Renowned for its stunning appearance and regal demeanor, the sable antelope inhabits the savannas and woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. Males are particularly notable for their glossy, jet-black coats and imposing, backward-curving horns, which can reach lengths of up to 1.2 meters (4 feet). The impressive horns, […]

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

In some regions, they are regarded as messengers of the gods or as symbols of rain and fertility

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

The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt

Known for its loud, ‘guttural’ croak that can be heard from a distance

Their horizontal pupils give them a permanently surprised expression

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

The males, in particular, produce a rich and intricate song that contributes to their charm

They consistently display a restless demeanor and exhibit a distinctive, tail-trembling behavior

Exhibit powerful flight, with distinctive slow wing beats and an extended neck, defining features during their aerial movements

Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck

Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance

Their migratory behavior is often linked to the availability of insects for food

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

A giraffe look-alike antelope

A lizard with vibrant hues – a living canvas of green, brown, and sometimes even blue

Their keen vision enables them to scan vast landscapes, identifying small movements or potential prey items even from high altitudes

It holds significant cultural and spiritual importance in African cultures, often associated with wisdom, longevity, and good fortune

Their highly acidic stomachs and powerful enzymes help break down and neutralize harmful bacteria and toxins present in the carcasses they feed on

They are known to scavenge at rubbish dumps and around slaughterhouses, helping to dispose of animal byproducts and reducing potential health risks

During courtship displays, they perform spiraling dives and engage in mid-air talon-locking displays with their mates

With its vibrant plumage and melodic calls, it brings beauty to the forest while playing an essential role as a seed disperser

Despite their small size, they’re known for agility and speed, enabling them to evade predators and navigate their environment with ease

By imitating other birds’ calls, it not only confuses potential predators but also enhances its hunting success by luring unsuspecting prey closer

A tiny troubadour of the treetops that dances to its own melodious tune

Their meticulous nest-building skills and vibrant plumage make them a cherished sight in the African grasslands

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

Graceful and stealthy, these reef dwellers navigate the coral maze with finesse, showcasing their iconic black-tipped fins

Opportunistic predators of the open ocean, their aggressive and persistent feeding behaviour strikes fear into the hearts of their prey

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

One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world

Its slender frame and narrow head bear a beak curved like a hawk’s, earning this marine marvel its name

As it grows older, it undergoes a metamorphosis that is nothing short of extraordinary

With a robust body adorned in iridescent hues of emerald and turquoise, it is an underwater jewel that dazzles the eye

A tiny wonder of the animal kingdom that embodies both elegance and resilience

A genetic mix of 72% grey wolf & 28% Ethiopian wolf was classified as an African variant of the golden jackal until 2015!

They can raise their body temperatures to avoid loss of water from their body by sweating

Widespread and bright; a superb starling indeed

Female has a black bill, male has a red bill with a white tip and a black lines

Racing to extinction: historically ranging throughout Africa to India, now distributed in small, fragmented populations

Size matters! The largest of the three elephant species and the largest extant terrestrial creature on our planet

White with a dark future! Victim of the myths, it is the biggest of the five rhino species

With 3 out of 8 subspecies have been declared extinct, illegal poaching puts these hooked upper lip rhinos in danger

85% successful kills! Yet irreversibly waning, it is among the most endangered canids in 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

Distinguished by its impressive array of quills that can be erected into a striking crest, it represents one of the most formidable rodent species in terms of defense mechanisms. These quills, which cover the animal from its head down its back, are not only visually striking but also serve as a critical tool for self-preservation. […]

These ‘sloppy animals’ tend to have a strong and unpleasant odor due to accumulated wastes in roosts

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

An impressively acrobatic bird that can catch flying fish mid-jump

These birds spend weeks in the air and hunt, preen and even sleep while in flight

Blue necked browser ostrich from North-east Africa

Arabian ostrich, 1 of 4 subspecies, was hunted to extinction in mid-20th century

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