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Kipunji
Communicates with a special “honk-bark” sound, which is unlike any other primate
Lesser black-backed gull
A common sight in coastal regions throughout the Northern Hemisphere
Jameson’s mamba
Unlike the black mamba, the deadliest snake in Africa, it is less aggressive and more likely to retreat when threatened
Common egg eater
Has the incredible ability to swallow eggs that are much larger than its own head
White-faced whistling duck
Loud birds with a distinct three-note whistling sound
Bateleur
One of the easiest birds of prey to identify from a distance
Common agama
Known for their vibrant colors, which can change rapidly in response to their environment, mood, or social interactions
African rail
Spend most of their time lurking in the thick reeds and grasses, only venturing out when they absolutely have to
Red-rumped swallow
Amazing flyers — they can even drink water while they’re flying!
Common pochard
Can dive down to the bottom of a lake and rest there, safe from predators!
European pied flycatcher
Males are particularly eye-catching with their black and white plumage, looking like they’re wearing a little tuxedo
Eastern imperial eagle
Its imperial imagery and fierce demeanor have made it a symbol of power and nobility throughout history
Barn swallow
Most common and widely distributed swallow globally
Common nightingale
Often called the “singer of the night,” it produces a complex and beautiful melody that has captivated people for centuries
Lesser grey shrike
Have been observed remembering the locations of their impaled prey and even using tools to help them catch food
Levant sparrowhawk
Often chasing each other in the air or amusing themselves by catching and dropping objects like sticks or leaves
Zanzibar red colobus
Locals call it “kima punju,” which means “poison monkey” in Swahili, due to its strong, unpleasant smell
Great blue turaco
A bird as big as a crow but with feathers that shimmer an unbelievable shade of blue
Fischer’s chameleon
With skin that can change color from bright green to dull brown, it blends in perfectly with the leaves
Pemba flying fox
A giant bat with a wingspan wider than a grown person!
Vulturine guineafowl
Its striking blue skin, coupled with its long, bare neck, gives it an uncanny resemblance to a vulture, hence its name
Giant pangolin
Covered in tough, overlapping scales made of keratin — the same material human fingernails are made from
Great white pelican
Underneath this colorful beak, there’s a hidden surprise – a built-in net for scooping up a delicious lunch!
Great hammerhead
The biggest of all the hammerhead sharks, with a massive head that looks like a giant, flat hammer
Yellowfin tuna
Popular food fish, prized for its mild flavor and firm texture
Pantropical spotted dolphin
A champion swimmer and a social butterfly of the warm seas
Brown noddy
They bob their heads up and down as they fly, which is actually how they earned the nickname “Noddy”
Common bottlenose dolphin
Known for their acrobatic leaps, twisting and turning gracefully as they jump completely out of the water
Common dolphin
Often seen riding the bow waves of boats or performing acrobatic leaps out of the water
African wildcat
The direct ancestor of the domestic cat—no wonder why they look so alike!
Tawny eagle
Often seen as a symbol of strength, freedom, and keen vision in many African communities
Sable antelope
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, […]
African fish eagle
With its striking appearance and distinctive call, it is often referred to as the “voice of Africa”
Boomslang
Itd name means “tree snake” in Afrikaans and Dutch, a fitting description of its arboreal lifestyle
Puff adder
Notoriously grumpy, always putting on a dramatic hissy fit when approached
Steppe eagle
The treasured bird of Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt
Guttural toad
Known for its loud, ‘guttural’ croak that can be heard from a distance
Big-eyed tree frog
Most striking feature—its skin coloration which mimic the mottled light patterns created by sunlight filtering through leaves
Common reed frog
Their horizontal pupils give them a permanently surprised expression
Little egret
During breeding, they transform with elegant white plumage, adorned by decorative plumes on the head, neck, and back
Egyptian goose
They were commonly depicted in art from ancient Egypt
Eurasian blackcap
The males, in particular, produce a rich and intricate song that contributes to their charm
Common redstart
They consistently display a restless demeanor and exhibit a distinctive, tail-trembling behavior
Gray heron
Exhibit powerful flight, with distinctive slow wing beats and an extended neck, defining features during their aerial movements
White wagtail
Holds cultural symbolism in some societies, representing good luck
Eurasian kestrel
Adaptable raptor known for its hovering hunting technique and striking appearance
Common chiffchaff
Their migratory behavior is often linked to the availability of insects for food
Tiger shark
They eat almost anything that comes their way – you name it, they’ll try to snack on it!
Gerenuk
A giraffe look-alike antelope
Grey crowned crane
It holds significant cultural and spiritual importance in African cultures, often associated with wisdom, longevity, and good fortune
White-backed vulture
Their highly acidic stomachs and powerful enzymes help break down and neutralize harmful bacteria and toxins present in the carcasses they feed on
Hooded vulture
They are known to scavenge at rubbish dumps and around slaughterhouses, helping to dispose of animal byproducts and reducing potential health risks
Southern banded snake eagle
During courtship displays, they perform spiraling dives and engage in mid-air talon-locking displays with their mates
Fischers turaco
With its vibrant plumage and melodic calls, it brings beauty to the forest while playing an essential role as a seed disperser
Sokoke scops owl
By imitating other birds’ calls, it not only confuses potential predators but also enhances its hunting success by luring unsuspecting prey closer
Sokoke pipit
A tiny troubadour of the treetops that dances to its own melodious tune
Shortfin mako shark
Speed and power embodied, they rule the seas with their sleek bodies and jaw-dropping leaping prowess
Blacktip reef shark
Graceful and stealthy, these reef dwellers navigate the coral maze with finesse, showcasing their iconic black-tipped fins
Oceanic whitetip shark
Opportunistic predators of the open ocean, their aggressive and persistent feeding behaviour strikes fear into the hearts of their prey
Bull shark
Fearless and formidable, these aggressive predators command respect in the waters they roam
Whale shark
Gentle giants of the sea, with mouths wide open to filter the ocean’s bounty
Great white shark
Majestic ocean predators, embodying power, speed, and precision in their pursuit of prey
Loggerhead sea turtle
One of the largest and strongest sea turtles in the world
Hawksbill sea turtle
Its slender frame and narrow head bear a beak curved like a hawk’s, earning this marine marvel its name
Emperor angelfish
As it grows older, it undergoes a metamorphosis that is nothing short of extraordinary
Green humphead parrotfish
With a robust body adorned in iridescent hues of emerald and turquoise, it is an underwater jewel that dazzles the eye
Steenbok
A tiny wonder of the animal kingdom that embodies both elegance and resilience
African wolf
A genetic mix of 72% grey wolf & 28% Ethiopian wolf was classified as an African variant of the golden jackal until 2015!
East African oryx
They can raise their body temperatures to avoid loss of water from their body by sweating
Aldabra giant tortoise
These gentle giants are making a big comeback and now there are lots of them to see and meet!
Superb starling
Widespread and bright; a superb starling indeed
Von der Decken’s hornbill
Female has a black bill, male has a red bill with a white tip and a black lines
Cheetah
Racing to extinction: historically ranging throughout Africa to India, now distributed in small, fragmented populations
African bush elephant
Size matters! The largest of the three elephant species and the largest extant terrestrial creature on our planet
Black rhinoceros
With 3 out of 8 subspecies have been declared extinct, illegal poaching puts these hooked upper lip rhinos in danger
African wild dog
85% successful kills! Yet irreversibly waning, it is among the most endangered canids in Africa
Leopard
Disappearing graceful shadows, this tree-climber is on the way to extinction
Egyptian slit-faced bat
Often called ‘whispering’ bats because their echolocation used to access the area and prey location are low intensity and not strong
Egyptian fruit bat
They hold their food tightly and closely to their bodies while feeding, preventing the food from being stolen by other bats
Crested porcupine
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. […]
Naked-rumped tomb bat
These ‘sloppy animals’ tend to have a strong and unpleasant odor due to accumulated wastes in roosts
Hippopotamus
1.6 ton (1.5 tonne) + 48 km/h (30 mph) = what do you think?
Great cormorant
Due to their adaptability and willingness to migrate to more favorable habitats, great cormorants are found worldwide
African darter
African darters or ‘snakebirds’ are expert underwater fishermen equipped with stealth, diving skills, and a spear-like bill
Brown booby
An impressively acrobatic bird that can catch flying fish mid-jump
Great frigatebird
These birds spend weeks in the air and hunt, preen and even sleep while in flight
Common ostrich
Arabian ostrich, 1 of 4 subspecies, was hunted to extinction in mid-20th century
Barn owl
The most cosmopolitan of owls with home ranges extending across the globe
Wilsons storm petrel
This species is found in all world oceans except the north Pacific Ocean
Little grebe
This cute and small bird is one of the most elite hunters below the water’s surface
Greater honeyguide
The master hunter and the bane of the bees
Black-throated barbet
One of the smaller barbet species that resemble a sparrow, only found in Africa
Lesser flamingo
This bird holds a Guinness book of world records to its name
Greater flamingo
The iconic and elegant bird with a curved pink bill is known for turning heads
Red-tailed tropicbird
They dance along with their gorgeous red tails to attract partners in a faithful courtship
White-tailed tropicbird
These ocean wanderers can be spotted from a distance showing awe-inspiring aerial tricks
Hamerkop
The hammerheads of the bird kingdom
Shoebill
One of the most bizarre creatures you can ever lay your eyes upon
African sacred ibis
The fossil records suggest that this species has been on this planet for millions of years
Glossy ibis
These birds seem to have lost their way to the beauty pageant
Goliath Heron
This large heron is a firm believer in the adage: “Patience is the key to success”
House sparrow
The most widely dispersed wild bird
Red-billed quelea
The most numerous wild bird species in the world
Marsh warbler
One of the best avian vocal mimics
Kori bustard
These large birds may remind you of ostriches, but they can fly!
Purple-crested turaco
These birds were once hunted for their beautiful crimson flight feathers
Common moorhen
Living around smelly brackish marshes is unthinkable, but these birds love their isolated habitat or don’t have a sense of smell
White-spotted flufftail
Don’t be disappointed if you don’t see a fluffy tail on these birds – it’s a misnomer
Helmeted guineafowl
Native to Africa, it is the best-known bird of its family, broadly introduced as domesticated species
Pygmy falcon
Smallest raptor of Africa with a heart bigger than lion’s
Peregrine falcon
At the speed of over 321 km/h (200 mph), this bird outraces a Formula1 car
Pied kingfisher
The only member of the genus having wide distribution across Asia and Africa is sociable, unlike other members of its family
European roller
Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe
Speckled mousebird
Their dull mousy-brown color justifies the name pretty well
Blue-naped mousebird
They can support their whole body weight on a single toenail! I wonder how many steps long their nail care routine is
Marabou stork
This Nature’s cleaners are the largest & heaviest living stork
Yellow-billed stork
As the name suggests, this whitish stork has a bright red face and a distinctively long yellow bill
Saddle-billed stork
The colorful stork of Africa
Black stork
The stork with the widest geographic range
White stork
The folktale bird that brings the babies!
African openbill
An unrushed flyboy from Africa
Common ringed plover
This bird taps its feet to imitate rain to make the prey reach the surface
Eurasian oystercatcher
The masters of catching oysters, clams, and cockles
Pied avocet
One of the very few birds with an upturned bill
Black-winged stilt
Elegant long-legged wader, common almost worldwide
Crab-plover
This bird has learned how to use a spear and made it an extension of itself
Common tern
This bird holds the record of the longest distance flown by any bird in recorded history
African skimmer
Global Warming got nothing on this bird
Greater painted-snipe
Looks no less than a renaissance masterpiece
Common swift
These enthusiastic travelers can be seen almost worldwide in different seasons
Green wood hoopoe
Insect-eating, tree-dwelling, and an incredible co-partner. That said, there’s nothing uninteresting about this one
Southern ground hornbill
What does a 29 km/h (18 mph) speed coupled with a massive wingspan bring to the table? A ‘vulnerable to extinction’ title isn’t something anybody would hope for
Eurasian Hoopoe
Dependable wings and a muscular build. Nope, we aren’t talking about the next Redbull ad campaign
Rüppells vulture
Once found flying 11,300 meters (37,100 ft) high, sadly, this was more of an accident than a discovery
White-headed vulture
They’re known as ‘old world vultures’ endemic to Africa and the first ones to get a whiff of corpses
Egyptian vulture
A highly intelligent species that is the world’s only tool-using vulture with a long migratory range
Western marsh harrier
The yellow-eyed devil
Eurasian sparrowhawk
Better call the ambulance before the Sparrowhawk comes to devour all those who are injured
Augur buzzard
The sturdy body complimented with broad wings make these raptors one of a kind
Short-toed snake eagle
A magnificent migratory bird with long, broad wings and a short tail that sings in the form of musical whistles
Lappet-faced vulture
The African giant vulture has a wingspan up to 2.80 m (9 ft) wide
Bearded vulture
The only living creature that feeds on bone marrow from carcasses in high and inaccessible mountain areas
Osprey
One of only six land-birds with a cosmopolitan distribution habituating all continents except Antarctica
Secretarybird
A long-legged bird with a stunning black feather crest on its back head
Rock hyrax
African rock dwellers that resemble pikas , but are more closely related to elephants!
Eastern tree hyrax
It seems they’re also struggling to follow a sleep/wake schedule
Ground pangolin
Often referred to as “scaly anteaters” due to their diet and appearance
Aardvark
Dig large subterranean burrows that other animals can hide in during fires, hence preventing wildlife deaths
Banded mongoose
Living in troops, a real-life example of “All for one, and one for all”
Black and rufous elephant shrew
Can have six or seven nests within the home range for different purposes, such as sleeping, caring for the young, and avoiding predators
Plains zebra
These zebras with the underbelly stripes are the longest migrators in Africa
Giant otter shrew
Got their common name due to their resemblance to otters and shrews, but not true otters nor shrews
Cape hare
Has large eyes that could cover a field of 360o to survey their surroundings before they take a nap
Common (spotted) genet
We can rotate our pinnae by 80 degrees!
African palm civet
Live in harmony with a parasite causes the deadly Sleeping sickness in humans
Egyptian mongoose
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
Striped hyena
The only hyena species outside of Africa that can go 15km (10 miles) for a meal
Spotted hyena
Also known as Laughing Hyena, it gets chewed a lot for being cruddy and a good-for-nothing scavenger!
Aardwolf
Unlike other hyenas, they do not hunt or scavenge but mainly consume termites
African clawless otter
Inhabits water bodies in sub-Saharan Africa’s savannahs
Striped polecat
They are also called ‘zorilla’ which comes from the Spanish word ‘zorro’, meaning small fox, but they are not fox
African striped weasel
A skunk mimic, besides a similar appearance, also releases smelly fluid from its anal gland when they feel threatened
Honey badger
Well known for their ferocity, these fearless little creatures are always ready to take on an entire pride of lions
Serval
Owners of the longest legs-for-body-size of all cats are widespread in sub-Saharan savannahs
Caracal
“To put the cat among the pigeons” was phrased on caracals, as they were once trained for hunting game birds for Persian and Indian royalty
Bat-eared fox
The ears not only resemble a bat’s ear, but they also have the same purpose – locate insects
Black-backed jackal
Has two subspecies populations, separated by 900km (560 miles)
Side-striped jackal
Larger than its jackal relatives and easily distinguishable with white stripes on the sides
Grant’s gazelle
Famous for their “stotting” antics to impress others and deter predators
Thomsons gazelle
The black and white stripes on the golden brown face add to its beauty.
Impala
One of the most successful African sprinters
Southern reedbuck
Graceful animals with V-shaped horns have royal and aristocratic looks
Oribi
They benefit from wildfires as they can return to the area that recovered from fires to eat fresh grass
Kirk’s dik-dik
A frightened female whistles repeating the dik-dik sound, giving rise to the name dik-dik
African buffalo
They are also known as the “black death” or “widowmaker,” which says a lot about them – dangerous!
Blue wildebeest
So named because of the silverish-blue shine of fur, which is not blue but greyish to brown
Waterbuck
Predators usually don’t hunt adult waterbucks as they have an unpleasant body odor because of the waterproofing secretions
Hartebeest
They enjoy a sedentary and lazy lifestyle but run fast if they sense danger
Topi
This prestigious, highly social, antelope species of Africa could run up to 80 km/h (50 mph)
Common eland
Large antelopes look like giant cows in appearance but run pretty fast
Cape bushbuck
Females hide their young and eat the feces after nursing them, so no trail of their scents remains to entice predators
Greater kudu
One of the largest antelopes – a male kudu having thick and spiraled horns as long as 1.8m (6 feet) in length
Lesser kudu
Bushland antelope found in East Africa; often considered the pretties of all antilopes
Masai giraffe
The giraffe species with largest build
Reticulated giraffe
The most common giraffe in zoos is the second most endangered giraffe species
Northern giraffe
Most endangered giraffe species is witnessing silent extinction
Common warthog
Widely distributed and the only pigs that live in grasslands
Brown greater galago
Unlike social grooming in other primates, they prefer to lick the fur of one another rather than use their fingers
Angola colobus
Abundant in Congo Basin and fragmented in Eastern Africa
Sanje mangabey
They are also known as ‘white-eyelid’ mangabeys for their distinctive white eyelids, which they flash in threat displays
Southern patas monkey
The fastest monkey in the world is also the most endangered monkey in Africa
Uganda mangabey
Thought to be a population of the Grey-cheeked mangabey until it upgraded to a new species in 2007
Vervet monkey
Used for studying genetic and social behaviors of humans as they have human-like characteristics such as anxiety, hypertension, and social and dependent alcohol use
Olive baboon
The most wide-ranging of all baboons, native to 25 equatorial African countries
Chimpanzee
Our closest living relative from the wild
Leatherback sea turtle
The mysterious diver of the ocean is the largest and only sea turtle without a hard shell and scales
Gaboon viper
Gaboon viper has the largest fangs and highest venom yield of any snake on earth
Yellow-bellied sea snake
The most widespread species of snakes on earth are found throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans and from Africa to Central America
Black mamba
Africa’s most feared snake that would inevitably evoke reactions of fear by just its looks
West African slender-snouted crocodile
With only a few thousand remaining individuals, this critically endangered species is on the verge of extinction
Nile crocodile
One of the most iconic animals of Africa and the second largest reptile on earth