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Africa is the second biggest continent in the world, and with it comes varying climates rich with flora and fauna. Today we’re focusing on the fauna in particularly. We’ve all heard of lions, elephants, and giraffes, but there are many creatures that most have never heard of, or seen before. Which is unfortunate not only because they're unique, interesting creatures, but because their populations are decreasing as we speak, due to human interference. Here are three of these creatures.
Pangolin:
Pangolins are a mammal group with unique large scales that they use as a defense from predators. They are not only native to Africa but also Asia, and reside in forest and grassland biomes. There are eight species of them in total, with four native to africa, white bellied pangolin, black-bellied pangolin, Temminck’s ground pangolin, and giant ground pangolin. Despite their scales, pangolins are mammals. They are often compared to anteaters in the way they feed on bugs with their long sticky tongues. They are known for having a shy personality. unfortunately, they are also known for being the most illegally trafficked animal in Africa because of their scales' medicinal uses, putting them under the label of critically endangered.
African Wild Dog:
The African wild dog’s biggest population resides in southern africa and southeast africa. It is known for its unique hunting methods, and looking sort of like a labrador retriever with dumbo ears. As suggested by its name, the African wild dog is an undomesticated species of dog. Once labeled as vermin because of their tendency to kill livestock, today they are one of the most desired safari sightings. One thing that makes them intriguing to many is the chirping sounds they make before going on their hunts. These dogs are skilled and speedy creatures, who can run over 44 mph and have an 80% success rate while hunting. They hunt in packs of around ten and often chase their prey to exhaustion. Because of their methods, they require a large hunting range, however, due to habitat fragmentation this has become a struggle for them, and is one of the main obstacles leading them to extinction. Other reasons for endangerment include hunting from humans, and diseases from domesticated dogs.
African Penguin:
Many have preconceptions of Africa as a blistering hot desert all over, and of penguins as animals native only to the arctic. However, neither of these are true. African Penguins, as I’m sure you can tell, are native to Africa, Namibia and South Africa to be precise. This penguin can be identified by a singular black band across its otherwise white chest. The African penguin is rather small, weighing 7-9 pounds, which is about the size of your average house cat. They are pescatarians with a diet consisting of squid, mackerel, and more. They are also known as “jackass penguins” because of their donkey-like mating calls. Unfortunately, these cute little guys are endangered, with an ever decreasing population, due to commercial fishing, oil spills, and predators.
Pangolin:
Pangolins are a mammal group with unique large scales that they use as a defense from predators. They are not only native to Africa but also Asia, and reside in forest and grassland biomes. There are eight species of them in total, with four native to africa, white bellied pangolin, black-bellied pangolin, Temminck’s ground pangolin, and giant ground pangolin. Despite their scales, pangolins are mammals. They are often compared to anteaters in the way they feed on bugs with their long sticky tongues. They are known for having a shy personality. unfortunately, they are also known for being the most illegally trafficked animal in Africa because of their scales' medicinal uses, putting them under the label of critically endangered.
African Wild Dog:
The African wild dog’s biggest population resides in southern africa and southeast africa. It is known for its unique hunting methods, and looking sort of like a labrador retriever with dumbo ears. As suggested by its name, the African wild dog is an undomesticated species of dog. Once labeled as vermin because of their tendency to kill livestock, today they are one of the most desired safari sightings. One thing that makes them intriguing to many is the chirping sounds they make before going on their hunts. These dogs are skilled and speedy creatures, who can run over 44 mph and have an 80% success rate while hunting. They hunt in packs of around ten and often chase their prey to exhaustion. Because of their methods, they require a large hunting range, however, due to habitat fragmentation this has become a struggle for them, and is one of the main obstacles leading them to extinction. Other reasons for endangerment include hunting from humans, and diseases from domesticated dogs.
African Penguin:
Many have preconceptions of Africa as a blistering hot desert all over, and of penguins as animals native only to the arctic. However, neither of these are true. African Penguins, as I’m sure you can tell, are native to Africa, Namibia and South Africa to be precise. This penguin can be identified by a singular black band across its otherwise white chest. The African penguin is rather small, weighing 7-9 pounds, which is about the size of your average house cat. They are pescatarians with a diet consisting of squid, mackerel, and more. They are also known as “jackass penguins” because of their donkey-like mating calls. Unfortunately, these cute little guys are endangered, with an ever decreasing population, due to commercial fishing, oil spills, and predators.