Have remarkable hearing and can detect high-frequency sounds, which helps them locate insects underground

Mated pairs are almost inseparable and often sit pressed closely together

That bright blue eye ring makes their gaze especially striking

Its “crown” of feathers becomes more noticeable during the breeding season

Have a surprisingly soft, fluttering flight, often described as moth-like

Often quite curious and may stare directly at people who approach, tilting its head as if trying to understand them

It’s the “dark-themed” albatross

Often considered one of the most beautiful albatross species because of its soft gray coloring and gentle contrast

Instead of a pretty song, it makes throaty, croaking calls that can sound a bit frog-like

Most of its travel is on foot—slow, steady, and alert—like it’s patrolling its territory

Can be black, can be grey but it’s the same bird

Has one of the longest nonstop flights ever recorded for any bird

Has the longest bill of any wading bird

Even though it’s called the “white-backed”, you often can’t see the white!

Looks a bit like a cross between a small antelope and a greyhound

That long snout works like a little vacuum wand, snuffling along cracks and sand for ants and termites

If it fits in their mouth and doesn’t fight back too hard—they’ll at least try to eat it

One of their favorite foods is freshwater crabs

We can rotate our pinnae by 80 degrees!

Looks like someone crossed a cat, a ferret, and a tiny leopard, then stretched it out and added an extra-long tail

It’s most at home in cooler, higher ground with lots of rocks and cliffs, away from people

Its rusty-red and brown fur isn’t just pretty—it’s nearly the same color as the rocks and soil it lives on

Basically a “rock rabbit” that treats cliffs like home

From a distance, it looks more like part of the rock than a living animal

Its bushy tail is often streaked with black and white hairs, giving it a speckled, smoky appearance

Tiny but tough — they hold their own against larger animals by being fast, alert, and great climbers

Its rich, chestnut-red fur blends perfectly with leaf litter and forest shadows—like living autumn foliage

It’s tiny—about the size of a medium dog

One of Africa’s smallest antelopes — barely knee-high to an adult human

Known for hunting in woodlands, using a “sit-and-wait” strategy

Can dive deeper than many seals

Its boom has been compared to blowing across the top of a giant bottle — a sound low enough to feel in your chest on still mornings

The “cheetahs” of the deep ocean

Though African, they withstand cool nights and even frost in higher elevations

More active on overcast or slightly rainy days, when amphibians are abundant and easier to catch

Frequently hunts from a low perch, dropping quietly on prey rather than making long chases

Blends well into grassland, so many sightings happen only when it moves

A heavyweight champ — elegant, yes, but you don’t want to mess with that beak

This bird can circle the South Atlantic without breaking a sweat (or a wingbeat)

Unlike many albatross species, it often prefers slightly warmer ocean waters

Can fly thousands of miles without a single flap

Often follow ships and fishing boats, attracted by food stirred up near the surface

Among the most athletic dolphins, known for their spectacular leaps and spins that can reach several meters high

Sometimes called the “scars in the water” thanks to their many white markings

The most widespread species of snakes on earth are found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans and from Africa to Central America

Extremely fast—able to disappear into foliage in the blink of an eye

Has one of the most striking appearances of any African bat

One of Africa’s least known hoofed mammals

Living plows of the Cape ecosystem

Living jewel of the fynbos

A magnificent seabird that spends almost its entire life gliding over the wild, windswept waters of the South Atlantic

Among the biggest flying birds on Earth

A sleek, fast-flying raptor that has mastered the art of hunting bats in midair

Though they possess venomous spines near the base of their tail, they rarely use them except in self-defense

Can even pursue fish in tight underwater spirals, twisting and turning with remarkable precision

A clever, athletic survivor, perfectly adapted to Africa’s open landscapes

The heaviest porcupines in the world, outweighing even their North American cousins

A large, tough rodent that frustrates farmers but also feeds families

Highly site-faithful, often returning to the exact same nesting spot year after year

A master of living under the ice, and a haunting singer in one of the world’s coldest wildernesses

A bird that carries the rhythms of the seasons on its wings

Despite its small frame, this eagle can take prey almost as large as itself

Local birdwatchers sometimes call it the “silver ghost of the grasslands”

One of the most charming doves you’re likely to encounter

Often mistaken for an earthworm

Isn’t actually a true cobra, though it looks and behaves much like one

Its nests, clinging to branches, often look like someone has stuck blobs of shaving cream or whipped meringue in the trees

They love mud baths, wallowing not only to cool off but also to protect their skin from parasites

Their eerie nighttime cries—ranging from squeaks to baby-like wails—are how they earned the name “bushbaby”

Despite their mouse-like appearance, they’re closer relatives to elephants, aardvarks, and manatees than to rodents!

Often nicknamed the “Pixie frog”, a playful name that seems ironic for such a massive, grumpy-looking creature

Nicknamed “the quacking frog”, since it really does sound a bit like a tiny duck

Small, colorful, and oddly shiny

One of those creatures that looks like it was designed to make people smile

Their camouflage is so good that even experienced herpetologists sometimes struggle to spot them

Mini crocodiles with a vegetarian side

Combining the look of a snake with the features of a lizard

In winter, they’re plain grey and white, but in the Arctic summer, they turn into a glowing rusty red

Their misleading name comes from early explorers who mistakenly thought they fed on crabs

May look like villains, but in truth, they’re peaceful giants of the sea

Looks ordinary—but transforms into one of the most extravagant birds during breeding season

Its appearance alone sets it apart from most reptiles—it looks like a dragon in miniature

Despite its bold look, it is quite gentle and non-toxic, posing no threat to humans

One of the lesser-known members of the dolphin family, despite its dramatic name

Once found flying 11,300 meters (37,100 ft) high, sadly, this was more of an accident than a discovery

One of the fastest and deepest-diving tunas

The only sawfish known to spend long stretches of its life in freshwater lakes, not just rivers or coasts

Their skin actually darkens, just like a sunburn!

Doesn’t care about rodents or birds — it’s all about the fish, frogs, and aquatic snacks

Despite its short stature, it’s a strong and fast flier

Thrives in hot, dry environments like savannas, semi-deserts, and open shrublands

Can dash across open ground with surprising speed, making them tough to catch

Their skin isn’t just pretty — it’s thick and bumpy, helping them retain moisture and deal with harsh, dry environments

Got a long, floppy crest of black feathers sticking up from the back of its head like a windblown mohawk

Carrion? Nah, I prefer coconuts

Its long, down-curved hornbill bill is not just for show — it’s the ultimate fruit grabber and insect snapper