Animals in Africa | African Animals

Africa is one of the world’s eight ecozones. Scientifically known as the Afrotropical Realm, the Equator bifurcates the continent, which contributes to its biodiversity.

Incredible African Animals and Wildlife Facts

Africa holds between 10 to 20 percent of the world’s insect population.
Africa has more types of freshwater fish than any other continent.
Madagascar, an island nation off the east coast of Mozambique, is the epicenter of chameleon diversity.
Goliath frogs, the Earth’s largest frog species, can only be found in Africa.
Africa has more ungulates — hoofed animals — than any other continent.
The largest terrestrial animal, the African elephant, calls the continent home.
Nile Crocodiles are the largest reptiles in Africa.
Gorillas are the largest primates on Earth and can only be found in Africa.
Ostriches, the largest birds on the planet, are endemic to Africa. Males can grow up to 2.8 meters tall while females usually only make it to 2 meters.

African Geography

Billions of years ago, Africa came into existence when the Mesozoic mega-continent of Gondwana split. At the time, and for millennia after, a giant evergreen forest covered the landmass. Over time, climate changes and shifting continental plates carved out the Africa of today, with its mix of desert, jungle, coastlines, and arable farming land.

Africa: Land of Iconic Animals

Africa is home to scores of amazing animals, making it a popular safari destination. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hippos, elephants, and giraffes run, rest, and rummage together in a hakuna matata utopia set against a beautiful minimalist landscape.

Common African Animals

When weaving Africa’s animal quilt, Mother Nature used a complex pattern. Approximately 100,000 insect species and 1,100 mammals, in addition to tens of thousands of reptiles, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish populate the continent.

African Land Mammals

Africa is the birthplace of three taxonomic mammalian orders: aardvarks (Tubulidentata), golden moles (Afrosoricida), and elephant shrews (Macroscelidea). Today, 60 carnivore species are spread across the landmass, including hyenas, lions, servals, mongooses, jackals, and honey badgers. Primates are also plentiful. Sixty-four species live out their lives in the Afrotropical region, including four great apes.

Africa is known for the “big five” animal pack: lions, rhinos, leopards, elephants, and cape buffalos. Originally a hunting term, they are the five species that people most hope to see on safari when in Africa.

Cheetahs, the world’s fastest land species, are another popular African animal. Spectacularly, the big cats can reach speeds of up to 75 miles per hour.

African Birds

Over 2,600 bird species live some portion of the year in Africa. Ostriches, which can run up to 60 miles per hour, sunbirds, and guineafowl are all endemic to the continent and maintain healthy populations. Surprisingly, penguins, which are most often associated with colder climates, even live in Africa along the South African cape.

African Fish and Marine Mammals

The waters surrounding Africa are brimming with marine mammals, and over 3,000 species of freshwater fish can be found on the continent.

A Note About Madagascar

Madagascar is an African Island nation off the continent’s east coast. A wildlife marvel, it plays host to several types of animals that can only be found in the country, like lemurs and aye-aye.

A historic country in Africa’s northeastern corner, Egypt is famous for the ancient Pyramids at Giza, the temple at Abu Simbel, and a unique wildlife legacy crafted by millenia of climate and cultural change.

African Countries Animals Lists

Click any of the countries below to see a detailed list of animals located in that country!