This is the most common nickname for the African wild dog, but they are known by many other monikers including "cape hunting dog", "painted dog", "African hunting dog", "painted hunting dog", and "ornate wolf". Four of the five fastest land animals live in Africa - fastest is the cheetah at 70 mph, wildebeest , lion and Thomson's gazelle all about 50 mph. Interestingly, speed is only a part of the cheetahs' hunting skills. Already a bizarre-looking creature, the giraffe's strange appearance is compounded by the color of its tongue. read about our TreadRight Animal Welfare Policy. Vulnerable to predators as an adult, calf giraffes are hunted by lions, leopard and hyenas. The African lion has the longest larynx - and therefore the loudest roar of all the \"Big Cats\" 3. African Animals facts photos and videos..Africa is a wonderland for animal lovers, and a schoolroom for anyone who wants to learn about nature, beauty and the rhythm of life . African buffaloes are known to kill more hunters in Africa than any other wildlife animal. They are... 3. As a result, wild dogs require large territories to thrive. As a result, the cheetah is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red list, and, today, an estimated 9,000-12,000 remain in Africa. The scientific name of the African wild dog is "lycaon pictus", a latin term meaning "painted wolf". The flightless ostriches are the largest bird in the world. With litters of 2-20 pups, wild dogs have some of the largest litters of wild canines. The Big Five are the most famous animals in South Africa and some of the most dangerous. Hippos kill more Africans than Lions, Great White Sharks and Crocodiles combined Lions are always portrayed as mighty and dangerous animals. Today they are found in Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, parts of Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and the Transvaal. Earth Rangers has teamed up with Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to shine a spotlight on some of the lesser-known animals that live in Africa. The giraffe is the world's tallest animal. Antlion:. Herbivores only eat things that need sunlight and photosynthesis to live. Zimbabwe, however, has seen some success growing their population of wild dogs—they have increased the number in the wild from 400 to over 700 members in recent years. Some experts predict that wild dogs are successful in 80% of their hunting attempts. Check out fun facts, games, photos, and more! Africa has over 25% of the world’s bird species. African wild dogs in South Africa. Weird Animals: 10 Really Bizarre Animals of Africa 1. Twilight is a key time for wild dogs because their prey is the most active during this period and the cover of night gives wild dogs a hunting and camouflage advantage, making them more difficult to be detected by both predators and prey. Oct 11, 16 10:26 PM 10 Most Fascinating and Intriguing South African Animals. They look very similar to dragonflies. Africam.com’s primary purpose is to showcase Africa’s wildlife LIVE and generate conservation awareness. The largest of the lacewing family. Leopards are nocturnal, hunting at night for, antelopes, waterbuck, young zebras, warthog and wildebeest, large birds, monkeys, and rodents, among other things. Introduction Turns out the animal world isn't just about lions, giraffes, dogs, cows, and cats. Facts About the Little 5 Animals of Africa 1. The deserts, jungles, and plains of Africa are home to some of Earth's most extraordinary animals. Hippo facts indicates that these adorable brutes sweat an oily red liquid which acts as a sunblock. An interesting African elephant fact is that they have dust baths. The strategies employed in hunting techniques fall into two main groups: either the long chase or hunting by stealth. The lion, wildebeest and Thomson’s gazelle have the speed at 90 miles per hour. They can be found mostly in the east of African around the western Pacific Ocean. Let's uncover some more interesting facts about this wild pig. For more information, read about our TreadRight Animal Welfare Policy. African wild dogs are most active during twilight—the period immediately before dawn and after dusk—making them "crepuscular". A successful African cat predator is likely to have exceptional vision and hearing, a body that is long and slim and a coat that is designed to camouflage and conceal. The beautiful colors of their coat (black, brown, yellow and white) also helps wild dogs blend in to their natural habitat of grassland, savannah and woodland. This post provides interesting facts about the African lion you are sure to find really informative and fun. There are several animal species that are among the world’s tallest, fastest or even tiniest animals such as the majestic giraffe, the speedy cheetah or the tiny pygmy shrew.. Several animal species are endangered such as the African wild dogs, the oribi or the rhino which is hunted for its horn. The mosquito is one of the deadliest animals in Africa, killing more than a million people every year by transmitting dengue fever, malaria and other diseases. There is nothing quite like coming across a large pack of these graceful animals in the bush—their beautiful spotted coats of black, brown, white and yellow and their social nature make them a joy to watch. The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) is a member of the dog family (Canidae). Currently, African wild dogs are primarily found in National Parks and reserves where large areas of their original territory remain intact. It is a marine animal that... 3. Pangolin. They have unique markings on their shells. Baboon Facts - Animal Facts Encyclopedia. There are a number of interesting Giraffe facts like the reason why they have black tongues. African animals have numerous animal records. It  also has the biggest heart of any land mammal. African animals have numerous animal records The fastest land mammal on the planet Cheetah facts reveals that this is the fastest animal on earth but you probably know that already. A six-foot long tree lizard and a new African antelope were discovered in the last couple of years. The leopard will stalk a target over distances of a few hundred meters, or wait in ambush if the target moves towards it. The main reason for the population decline is increased human development and encroachment on wild dog territory. No two wild dogs have the same markings, which makes them easily identifiable as individuals. African wild dogs' prey consists of small ungulates such as impala, kudu, Thomson’s gazelle, springbok and wildebeest. 4. Similarly, young cubs are raised by all members of the pack including both male and female members. As of January 2013 it increased to 946, these animals were being poached at a rate of 2 per day. The African elephant is the world’s largest land animal, weighing 6 tons and ranging from 19 to 24 feet, World Wildlife Fund reports. With just a few left, the Pangolin has been threatened to the point of extinction. 2. Wild dogs communicate with one another through touch, tail wags and a variety of vocalizations that include a short bark (which can signify alarm), a howl (which rallies the wild dogs together), and a bell-like sound which can be heard over long distances. The ability to change direction very quickly is just as important  because if the cat misses his nimble-footed prey a few time its body overheats and it is forced to admit defeat. In the wild dust and mud equals sunscreen. Wild dogs are built for endurance—they can maintain speeds of up to 35 mph over a range of 3 miles, which allows them to outlast their prey. Please take some time to browse through the pages of African Wildlife trivia and facts we have put This African animal has an acute sense of hearing and vision for hunting. 10. In addition, a wild dog's large, round ears allow them to keep track of pack members over long distances through audio signals. Wildlife in South Africa is abundant, with almost 300 mammal species.. 10 Weird and Wonderful Facts About African Animals Giraffes. Greater kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) At one point, the population of African wild dogs was estimated to be as high as 500,000, but is now down to just over 6,600 adults over a much reduced range. Find out the most unique and interesting facts about animals from all over the world in this video series. Many stories are told about how they ambush hunters that have wounded them during hunting expeditions. There are many animals of the African wilderness, that call the continent of Africa home. There is nothing quite like coming across a large pack of these graceful animals in the bush—their beautiful spotted coats of black, brown, white and yellow and their social nature make them a joy to watch. Giraffe. part of the Travel Corporation family of brands. The cheetah is the world's fastest land animal. Mother Earth contains many creatures that are just now being discovered by scientists, and not only at the bottom of the ocean. So are crocodiles and the Great White Shark as well, but in reality, more deaths occur from Hippo encounters than these 3 predators combined. It is also known as the painted hunting dog, painted wolf, African hunting dog or African painted dog. Lions, hyena and crocodile are their predators. 1. At the beginning of the 20th century there were a few million African elephants and approximately 100,000 Asian elephants. African Elephant. We have created a list of interesting hyena facts about one of the most misunderstood animals in Africa. The reason for this is that their manes and large size make them more conspicuous and less successful in the hunts than lionesses. Hungry Hippos have an enormous appetite consuming 35 kilograms each night but they can also survive without food for three weeks. Before initiating a hunt, African wild dogs conduct a playful ceremony in which they circle one another, touching and vocalizing to get themselves excited about the coming hunt. Their larvae are found all over... 2. Easily recognizable by their tan, black, and white fur, African wild dogs are the largest (and one of the rarest) canids in Africa. Each African wild dog has a unique spotted pattern. The horn of the African rhinoceros is made of keratin- not matted hair as once believed. Usually, more than twice as many males are born as females and, in a behaviour unique to wild dogs, when the pups reach maturity, the females leave the pack to look for mates while the males stay in their natal pack. Since wild dogs live in such close proximity with each other, they have evolved to be incredibly social. Unlike many other pack-hunting animals, wild dogs of a single pack rarely intimidate or fight one another for position; instead they exhibit behaviors that support the health of the pack over individual members. Most African animals are wild. It lives 15 to 23 years and eats grass, and stays close to water to get their daily drink easily. The scientific name for the African Wild dog means “painted wolf”. together for your delight. Why? Have you ever wondered how predators plan their menus and what unique hunting technique every specie specialize in? Four of the five fastest land animals reside in Africa: the cheetah, the wildebeest, the lion, and the Thomson’s gazelle. The African elephant is the world's largest land animal. With it long neck the giraffe can reach the tallest and tastiest leaves in the savanna and also engage in “neckings”, a type of male combat in which the neck is used as a weapon. Cyber Monday Savings African Safaris Exclusive Vacation Packages Africa Destinations Safari Experiences Request a Safari Quote, Your Travel Well Being View Brochure FAQ-Know Before You Go A Day On Safari One Tree Planted Travel Restrictions Terms & Conditions, Newsletter Signup #Lionworldtales Contest Traveler Reviews Make Travel Matter Safari Blog Name a Baby Rhino Contest 2020 Africa Awards Voting, About Us Lion World Cares Animal Welfare Policy The Travel Corporation TTC Loyalty Contact Us Privacy Policy Covid Privacy Notice Cookie Policy. They have a length between 2-2.7 meters and weigh... 8 Okapi. In many prides African lion males do not hunt. Read More. To fund this free service, we do feature advertising throughout the website. Dugongs. It also removes parasites, and even alleviates stinging insects bites. Ostriches. If there's anything you'd like to see on our site, or have In 2012, 668 rhinos were poached in South Africa. The fastest one is cheetah since it can reach the speed at 70 miles per hour. African Animal Image. Read on for more amazing facts about Africa’s “painted wolf”. Buffalo. Watch wild animals in the beautiful African bush LIVE & Unscripted. Similar to other great African animals with distinct coat patterns, no two wild dogs have the same spotted patterns—these are unique to individual wild dogs and help members within the pack distinguish between one another. Top 10 Amazing Animals Found only in Africa 10 Greater Kudu. Learn more facts about Africa here. Watch wild animals in the beautiful African bush LIVE & Unscripted. Usually only about 20 inches long, the longest horn on record was almost 5 feet! Wild dogs live in packs ranging in size from 6 - 30 members, making their packs one of the largest of the wild canines. By booking with Lion World Travel, you can be sure that you are helping to support wild dog conservation in Africa. Read on for more amazing facts about Africa’s “painted wolf”. African wild dogs have disappeared in many of the areas of their original range over the last few decades—they could once be found in over 40 different countries throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, but today are found in just 10-25 countries. African wild dogs have huge home ranges and are constant wanderers. The 4 to 5ft long African cheetah has a 20ft stride - Amazing! Lion pictures are also included to make learning about this animal enjoyable. Interestingly, speed is only a part of the cheetahs' hunting skills. It needs to manage blood pressure when it lowers its head to drink, in a very special way. The jungles of Africa are filled with certain animal species that can't be found anywhere else in the world. In Africa we have the largest primate, the largest antelope, fastest fish, largest fish, fastest bird on land, fastest flying bird, bird that can dive the deepest. As a traveler, you can do your part by traveling to national parks and game reserves that put resources toward protecting Africa's wild dogs. The conservancy is located in northern Kenya, with over 62,000 acres of protected land and is home to tons of animals, including the species on this top ten list. They are smallish dark... 2. Hyenas live in a wide range of habitats . 3. Leopard tortoise:. Cheetah facts reveals that this is the fastest animal on earth but you probably know that already. They are highly social animals, living in packs led by an alpha male and female and communicating with a series of high-pitched twittering sounds. A huge number of … Cheetah chasing prey: Stu Porter, Dreamstime. There is a hierarchy within a pack, led by a dominant breeding pair, but struggle is generally limited within the pack once this hierarchy has been established. The term was coined by big-game hunters in the 1970s to refer to the five most difficult animals to hunt on foot in Africa. suggestions, comments or questions please feel free to contact us. Send them a note to thank them for their work. Wild dogs in Tanzania's Serengeti, for example, have been known to roam an area over 900 square miles. One of these rare species is the warthog. For example, younger members of the pack who conduct hunts will bring back food for the older members. This stamina combined with smart hunting tactics, where some members lead the hunt close to prey, while others tactically circle the prey, results is an extremely high hunting success rate. Probably the most feared member of the pig family, warthogs can be found in the grasslands, woodlands, and savanna regions of the Sub-Saharan Africa. Wild dog packs roam large areas and rarely stay in a single place for long. … Learn about African animals and how you can help them. The largest tortoise found in Southern Africa. They weigh approximately 1700 pounds with a huge head to support their huge horns and floppy ears. Africa, the land with an abundance of different kinds and species of animals. Some interesting facts about African Wildlife There are over 1,100 different species of mammals in Africa and over 2,600 species of birds. Africa is home to the world’s largest living land animal, the African elephant, which can weigh up to 7 tons. African wild dogs are native to sub-Saharan Africa. All of these animals can run at speeds above 50 miles per hour, with the cheetah reaching a top speed of about 70 miles per hour. Sign up for Wildlife Cards. They spend most of their time in the water but they can't actually swim. African wild dogs are some of our favorite animals to see on safari. These gentle giants are the largest living land mammals on earth. We will really love to hear from you. Female lions do almost all of … There are very few places in South Africa that are affected by malaria, though. NarinaTrogons are the most widespread and generalist in their habitat preferences of the three Apaloderma trogons. Despite this, they are highly intelligent and complex animals who have survived on Earth for 24 million years. Albino African zebras occasionally occur in the wild. An Exhaustive List of African Animals With Some Stunning Photos. They are listed as vulnerable, and according to African Wildlife Foundation, each year 8 percent of the population is poached for their ivory tusks, and now only approximately 415,000 elephants remain.. Some of them are great speed when running. This article will take you on an African safari with the following African animals list. They have physical features that help them eat tough to digest plant matter. Animals really are amazing creatures. 10) Sadly, this beautiful animal is threatened by loss of habitat and prey, as well as conflict with humans. Unlike their domestic counterparts, wild dogs only have four toes per forefoot. Amazing Facts About the African Wild Dog. Interesting Facts about Greater Kudu Greater kudu is an amazing antelope that native to Eastern and... 9 Ostrich. Photo by Lion World Travel guest Trish Settle. African wild dogs are some of our favorite animals to see on safari. Picture credits Cheetah family in grass: Chris Johns.