Experience all of your bucket-list safari related items on a budget now. The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest and heaviest land animal in the world, weighing up to 6 tonnes, and eating massive amounts of food each day. Among the most well-known species are the lion and the rhinoceros, but here you can also see the largest land mammal in the world, as well as the fastest. Most people go on wildlife safaris with the aim of spotting the Big 5 of Africa. Jump to navigation Jump to search. The African Civet is the largest of its species and resides in sub-Saharan Africa. Pangolins have a long sticky tongue that grows from deep inside their chest cavity and can extend to over 40cm, which is longer than its own body! Leopards scavenge regularly but are brilliant hunters. Unlike other states dependent on oil revenues, Lagos has a diversified economy with prosperous manufacturing, transport, construction, service, wholesale, and retail sectors. In Africa, we have the white (square-lipped rhinoceros) and the black rhinoceros (hook- lipped rhinoceros) however, their actual colours are very similar. They use thorny twigs to make large nests which are divided into different compartments to create egg chambers. Savannah. 4. In my life as a guide, I heard numerous reasons for these names. Once the pups are born, the whole pack looks after them and they take priority. They are the largest venomous snake in Africa, with adults growing to around 2.5 meters and also one of the world’s fastest snakes, moving at … These tales are great for children so look them up! Africa’s Big Five Animals: What Are They? | November 03 2016, Briony Chisholm Elephants are highly social animals. 3. They usually live in large packs, which are dominated by the matriarch. Kenya. Marabou storks are large, long-legged, long-necked wading birds with a long, bare pink gular sac. The leopard is probably the most adaptable of the big cats when it comes to human interference. They have tall legs that are often white in colour however, their legs are not white at all – the whiteness is due to them defecating on their own legs, which is known as urohydrosis. The third largest animal in Africa is the hippo. Here they grab their prey with their large jaws. They weigh around 5000 pounds and maintain their size by grazing on short grains of grass with their distinctly broad mouths. A group of rhinos is actually called a crash. They prefer to live in swampy areas with dense cover and are known for being successful grazers. There are many animals of the African wilderness, that call the continent of Africa home. African wild animals safari collage, large group of fauna diversity at African continent, natural themed collection background. However, there are occasions when the world's largest living terrestrial species can behave in an unpredictable manner and trample people to death. Their horns are made from keratin, which is the same material human nails are made of. © 2018 Sunny Sports. Symbiotic Relationships of the Bird World. 3. 5 Largest Animals of Africa African Elephant. Win Something You’ll Love in February’s New Raffle! 6. The males use these horns to fight each other for territory and for possession of females. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This monkey species lives in the forests of Africa. 5. They are powerful such that they can fall trees for food and... 2. They do this to get calcium and other minerals which assist in eggshell production and keep their own shells in good condition. 2. 5 Amazing Animals That Can Only Be Found In Africa African Civet . I was not able to get African tales for all of the animals mentioned, however, for the little ones, there are a few books published on African tales. | May 13 2018, Landia Davies Africa, the land with an abundance of different kinds and species of animals. They are not very vocal but indulges in bill-rattling courtship displays. African warthog. Get Wild at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Posted by 1. A lesser-known grouping of smaller animals that we have in Africa, is the Little 5. A leopard’s tail is almost the same length as its body. Svinoobraznoe animals of the African. An ostrich egg is equivalent to 24 hen eggs and takes about one and a half hours to hard boil. They are large birds and can reach an average size of about 152cm, and have a wingspan of around 3.7m. They mainly use their wings for a mating display, and to help counterbalance when running away from predators. Africa is the second-largest continent in the world, and it’s diverse in culture and natural beauty, but it’s also home to many unique species . | April 25 2018, Briony Chisholm This is why having too many elephants in a game park that isn't large enough can wreak havoc on the vegetation and ecosystem as a whole. 2. Like with cycling races, when the front runners get tired, then the dogs right behind them pick up speed and the front runners fall back a bit. Others were indeed prehistoric creatures that would have dwarfed today's largest land animal, the African elephant, weighing about 14,000 pounds. With this help, a lion’s eyesight is 8 times better than that of humans at night. 1. This also helps to trap ticks and other parasites - once the mud dries up, they scratch against a tree which then removes these parasites. Number of species: 8 (4 are found in Africa) Family: Manidae The name dagga boy comes from the word “dagga” which refers to a cement mixture used in building houses. The birds are known to build their nests in trees and sometimes even in tall buildings. The female usually lay between three to five eggs. You are sure to find a variety of birds when looking at a herd of buffalo. These huge herds are often closely followed by lions. Spanning 1.5 million hectares, the park proves true to its name (which, in the local Masai language, means “endles… The male ostrich is called a rooster, and a female is called a hen. The brain of an ostrich weighs around 40 grams, compared to one of their eyes that weighs around 60 grams. They do everything as a group (called a pride), except for the males who regularly patrol their territories to fend against other lions. These sounds can travel for several kilometres. Chris Du Preez Funny thing is, hippos are actually semi-aquatic mammals, meaning they spend a … After school, he studied tourism and worked as a tour guide throughout Southern Africa. People who have been into the bushveld know all about the distinctive sounds these animals make around sunset. 5. These herds are usually family herds made up of elephants of all different ages. Guereza colobus . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The African Elephant is the largest animal in Africa, and also the largest land animal in the world,... White Rhino. Charity Watch awards this one amongst the best environmental charities, with an A- rating for funneling over 80% of its finances into programs. The white rhinoceros is the largest existing species of rhinoceros in the world, and the second largest of... Hippopotamus. Go here for more lions, tigers, cheetah and elephants. Africa is known for its diverse animal life and is home to some of the largest animals in the world. This article will take you on an African safari with the following African animals list. They mainly eat acacia leaves, being among only a few animals who can reach them. When these herds get attacked by lions, they form a circle around their young, facing outward towards the threat to form a barricade of horns. All rights reserved. Giraffe. Buffalos have a good symbiotic relationship with many bird species, like the oxpecker and also egrets. 6. I guess the one that makes the most sense is that the names originated from when the Dutch settlers in Africa called the white rhinos “wijd”. The largest terrestrial mammal in the world is the African Elephant which by temperament is one of the most extroverted animals under the sun. Their long tails mainly assist them with balance when climbing, as well as serving as a rudder when they are chasing prey and have to turn sharply. They have three stomachs, and regularly swallow stones and pebbles. Known as 'buffalo' weavers for following buffalo herds to feed on the insects disturbed by the buffalos' movements. Their adaptability also makes them the most widely distributed wild cat on the planet. So-called because of their rather long and flexible noses which look similar to the elephant’s trunk. 4. Cougar. The females usually carry food to their young in their cheek pouches. The African Bush Elephant is the largest living terrestrial (land) animal, with males reaching 6 to 7.5 metres (19.7 to 24.6 ft) in length, 3.3 metres (10.8 ft) in height at the shoulder, and weighing 6 t (13,000 lb). This is the main reason why leopards are spotted close to urban areas. This cools the veins helping the elephants to cool down. Giant Eland. African Wild Dog. African elephants are the largest land animals on Earth. 3. This is also the same for other large cats like leopards, tigers and jaguars. Elephants are the largest land-based mammal in the world and are found in Africa and Asia. Contrary to popular belief, the term Big Five does not indicate that these are the 5 biggest animals in Africa. Like humans, the skin of a rhino is very sensitive to the sun. Lions. They eat invertebrates and also fruit, seeds and leaves. They look very similar to dragonflies. They sit at the bottom of the pit hidden in the sand, and when they detect an insect entering the pit, they throw sand towards them to make the prey fall to the bottom. They scavenge a lot, but they are known to catch small prey like rodents and birds. 1. When people think about the largest animals that ever lived, dinosaurs are often the first thing to come to mind. Rhinos are very fast for their size. The bald eagle is the national bird and national animal of the United States of America and builds the largest nest of any North American bird. They are able to close their nose and ears when feeding in order to keep ants from entering. 4. One also often sees lonely buffalo bulls (also known as dagga boys) lying in water and mud. A large variety of African animals occupy the desert as well as the thick jungles of the continent. It can span in length up to 35 ft. (10.6 m) and stand up to 13 ft. (4.2 m) in height. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean's coastline. These animals are characterized by their large ears and a trunk used for communication and handling food. The largest living land animal is the African Elephant which can weigh up to 6,350 kg (7 tons); they typically grow to 35 ft (10.6 m) from trunk to tail and have a shoulder height of 13 ft (4.2 m). Leopards have strong necks, which allow them to drag prey (that weighs more than themselves) into trees. It is known to be the strongest animal as it can carry up to 850 times its own body weight. For help planning your next African Safari on a budget contact our travel experts. 1. They also communicate through visual signals and touch. Lions are able to roar so loudly due to a ligament in their voice box. The only animal in the world that is completely covered in scales. | July 13 2015, Landia Davies The largest tortoise found in Southern Africa. Found in sub-Saharan Africa is the world’s second largest land animal. This list may not reflect recent changes . The pebbles help ostriches to grind-up food in their first stomach, as they do not have teeth to chew. Prepare to discover loads of interesting facts about African animals of all shapes and sizes! The white rhinoceros is the largest existing species of rhinoceros in the world, and the second largest of all the animals of Africa. Did you know that elephants are either right-handed or left-handed? | August 21 2018, Landia Davies To see a lion in its natural habitat is one of the most humbling, impressive sights an African safari can offer. This actually means wide – referring to the wide jaw of the white rhino – but it sounded like “white” to English speakers, and was therefore translated incorrectly. The Grey Crowned Crane is a large, beautiful bird that lives in the wetlands of Africa. Does Africa have deer? Some recommended books: With all these interesting African animal facts, I'm sure your next wildlife safari will be even more fun and interesting! African Wildlife. | February 11 2017, Briony Chisholm This has a lot to do with the fact that other animals usually show some warning signs before they attack. Thus they love taking mud baths to cover their skin. Adult male elephants, or bulls, normally move freely between different family herds. Africa's Top 12 Safari Animals and Where to Find Them Lion. Leopard cubs are born blind and are therefore completely dependent on their mothers. 4. 1. In our experience, it’s one of the most rewarding places you can go for an African wildlife safari. They are monogamous, which means that they mate for life, and only hold one partner. There are over 300 types of rhino beetles worldwide. As a child growing up in South Africa, I heard and read a lot about animals. Cubs typically stay with their mothers for up to about 2 years. The male dominates the... 3. The buffalo is oddly-enough seen as one of the most dangerous of the Big 5. It has a body length of 220 to 290 centimeters. Their staple food being the meat, they have a variety of animals to choose from. They do not stick their heads in the sand or the ground – this is an urban myth. They, therefore, have fabulous eyesight and can see up to 3 and a half kilometres. These animals are herbivorous with torsos shaped like barrels and large hairless bodies. Klipspringer. The African Elephant is the largest animal in Africa, and also the largest land animal in the world, weighing up to 14,000 pounds. The throat sac is also used to make various noises during mating time. These gentle giants are known for their intelligence, power, and social bonding. In the heat, elephants tend to constantly flap their ears which in turn cools down their bodies. This makes it the biggest antelope in the world. They rarely give any warning signals and can surround you without being noticed. These magnificent beasts are Africa's "big five." There are some lovely African Tales about most of these animals. Rhinos. These are in fact 5 smaller animals that share their names with the animals of the Big 5 grouping. 2. Learn how your comment data is processed. Despite its existence as a land animal, the hippopotamus is actually most closely related to whales. As the thick jungles of the most dangerous animals a person can encounter in bush. They can run at a kill – even over the dominant pair as a land animal in Africa, 'll. Start opening about 10 days after birth larger ears is almost the same patterns largest animals of Africa and second... 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