Introduction

For a lot of people who decide to visit Africa they main interest is to view the Wildlife. No
other continent offers the same opportunities to see such diverse wildlife, free and often in
very close proximity.

To learn a little about the animals you will see before you travel, will enhance your wildlife
viewing experience greatly

CHEETAH

Description and Characteristics:

The Cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world and can reach speeds of 80-100 km/h.
However, it is only able to keep up this speed for a short period of time. The cheetah has a
slender body, a small head, and long legs, which makes it ideal for speed, it is also the only
cat without retractable claws which allows the claws to always be exposed, makes for better
traction when running. The tail is also adapted to help maintain balance at high speeds and
during quick turns.

The cheetah has a background colour of light golden yellow/tan, covered with small, round,
black spots on the cheeks, forehead, crown, neck, and limbs. They have a distinctive black
tear-shaped from the corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth and a mane-like black
stripe running the length of their back.

Cheetahs do not roar like lions and tigers. Instead, they make birdlike chirping sounds for
communication with other members of the family and they hiss when angered or threatened
and purr loudly when they are content. If they are alarmed they whine or growl.

A cheetah has a good sense of smell and communicate by scenting tree trunks, bushes and
termite mounds with their waste.

Cheetahs are typically solitary creatures although males sometimes live with a small group
of brothers from the same litter.

Feeding/drinking Habits:
The cheetah's diet consists of impala, springbok, gazelles, kob, warthogs, lesser kudu,
blackbuck, hares, and game birds. Male coalitions sometimes take larger prey such as
wildebeest. They generally stalk their prey until they are only about 20 meters away, then
they chase, which lasts about 20 seconds. The cheetah is only successful in catching it prey
in about half of all chases and they often lose they catch to lions and hyenas. Unlike other
large cats, the cheetah generally hunts during the daytime.

Habitat:
Cheetahs are confined to parts of Eastern and Southwestern Africa. They are well adapted
to dry habitats such as savanna grasslands and semi-deserts. Cheetahs prefer grasslands
that offer unobstructed views of their surroundings; such habitats make it easier to detect
prey as well as predators.
Size & Lifespan
Male cheetahs are slightly larger and heavier than females. Cheetahs are approx. 95 cm tall,
and measures 182 cm in length. Males weigh about 55 kgs and females about 40 kg. On
average a cheetah lives for 12 - 14 years in the wild

Reproduction:
The gestation period is usually 3 months and a female gives birth to between 2 and 6 cubs.
They breed throughout the year and it is the female who raises the cubs. A cub stays with
its mother for about one year before venturing off by itself. The male cheetah plays no part
in the upbringing. Cubs are smoky grey in colour with long woolly hair, called a mantle,
running along their backs.

Predators and Threats:

Cheetahs are often killed by lions and hyenas, especially their cubs. Up to 80% of the cubs
do not survive. In recent years human encroachment on their habitat and hunting

HIPPOPOTUMUS

Description and Characteristics:

There are two species of hippopotamuses; the Pygmy Hippo which is the smaller species,
standing about waist-high to an adult human, and the river or common hippopotamus. The
common/river hippopotamus which is world's third largest and heaviest land animals,
weighing up to about 4,000 kg.

Both species of hippos have barrel-shaped bodies, short stocky legs, and smooth almost
hairless skin. Their heads appear outsized with unusually broad mouths and their facial
features resemble those of a pig. Hippos have a short, tufted tail

Hippos have thin skin that dies out quickly - they secrete a pinkish coloured oil that helps
them keep their skin moist in the hot African climate. Hippos spend most of their days in the
water or wallowing in the mud, generally coming up on land to feed at night.

River hippos are one of the most feared animals in southern Africa. It is claimed that every
year more people are killed by them than by any other African animal

Out of water, Hippos are surprisingly fast runners; a fully grown river hippo can run 30
km/h for a few hundred yards.

Feeding/drinking Habits:
Hippos are Herbivores, preferring short grasses of the African plains. Their muscular lips are
almost 70 cms wide which makes them extremely efficient grazers. They generally feed
during the night, grazing for up to 5 hours before returning to the water.

Habitat:
The Pygmy hippo lives in West Africa's forest belt, primarily in Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire and
spends more of its time near water rather than in it, and dives beneath the water surface
only when in imminent danger of attack.

The common hippopotamus is found in western, central, eastern and southern parts of
Africa, living in lakes and rivers near grasslands, usually where the water is deep and slow-
flowing.

Size & Lifespan

Male hippos are generally larger and heavier than females. Common Hippos range from
3.96 to 4.57 mtrs long, standing 1.52 mtrs at the shoulder height and weighing between
1,800 to 3,600 kgs. They live for up to anywhere between 20 to 40 years in the wild. Whilst
Pygmy hippos grow to about 1.75 m long, and have a maximum weight of about 275 kg

Reproduction:
Males reach sexual maturity at 7 years and females at 9 years. Mating always occurs in
water during the dry season. Hippos have a gestation period of about 7 months and usually
birth is given to a single calf during the start of the raining season. River hippos of the give
birth usually in shallow water therefore calves are able to swim from birth. The average
birthing interval is about 2 years

Predators and Threats:

Pygmy Hippos are very rare in the wild, with hunting and deforestation having declined their
numbers over recent years. Hippo calves are vulnerable to attack by lions and hyenas on
land and by crocodiles in the water. People hunt hippos for their meat and hide and also for
their tusks, which are sold as ivory and also because they are potentially dangerous and
destructive particularly in areas where crops are grown.

GIRRAFFE

Description and Characteristics:

The Giraffe is the tallest of all mammals, on average they are 6ft tall at birth. They are well
known for their long necks, long legs, and spotted patterns; each giraffe has it's own unique
pattern. Giraffes have small "horns" or knobs on top of their heads that grow to be about
five inches long. These knobs are used to protect the head in fights.

Feeding/drinking Habits:
Their long necks help giraffes eat leaves from tall trees, typically acacia trees. The tongue of
a giraffe can be as long as 45 cm.

If they need to, giraffes can go for several days without water. Instead of drinking, giraffes
rely on remaining hydrated from the moisture content in the leaves they feed on.

Habitat:
Giraffes live in the savannahs of Africa, where they roam freely among the tall acacia trees,
arid land, dense forests and open plains. Large populations of giraffe are found in Kenya,
Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia.

Size & Lifespan

Males weigh between 2,400 and 4,000 pounds and are up to 18 feet tall. Female giraffes
are smaller and lighter than males, and weight between 1,600 and 2,600 pounds and grow
to be about 16 feet tall. A giraffe calf can be up to 6 ft tall at birth

Giraffes live for about 25 years in the wild

Reproduction:
The gestation period for giraffes is between 14-15 months. Generally there 16-month period
between calving since this is such a long gestation period. Breeding can occur at any time of
the year, with the conception peak generally happening the rainy season

Predators and Threats:

There is not direct threat to adult Giraffes from predators as they are too large. However,
their calves are vulnerable and cannot defend themselves from usually lion and the spotted
hyena.

Giraffes are hunted for their meat, coat and tails. The tail is prized for good luck bracelets,
fly whisks and string for sewing beads. The coat is used for shield coverings. Habitat
destruction and fragmentation are threats to giraffe populations.

LION

Description and Characteristics:

Lions are Tawny in colour, varying from silvery yellow to reddish brown with paler
undersides (female belly yellowish to almost white); yellow to black mane. Faint, leopard
like spots are generally found on the young which is sometimeskept into maturity.

Males have thick mane around the head that extend down the chest between the forelegs
and varies in colour from blond to black, whereas females do not have manes

Lions have massive shoulders and strong forelimbs, long, sharp claws, and short, powerful
jaws. A Lions' roar can be heard by humans more than 8 km away.

Prides of lions are generally composed of related females, whilst a typical prides contains
around 13 lions, large prides can contain as many as 40 lions, while some prides will have a
few as two members. A prides home range varies in size from 20-400 km².

Lions are mainly nocturnal and are reputed to sleep or rest for about 20 hours a day. You
will often find them lying under a shady bush, particularly after they've fed following a kill.

Feeding/drinking Habits:
As carnivores, feeding entirely on the flesh of other mammals, lions have 30 teeth, including
large piercing canines to grab and kill prey, scissorlike molars to slice into flesh, and small
incisors to scrape meat from bones. Much of their hunting is done at night and in the very
early dawn. When feeding on a large kill, a lion can eat almost 36 kg of meat in one feeding
and then not need to eat for several days. On average, a lion needs to eat about 5 kg of
meat daily.
Habitat:
The lion is found throughout the south Sahara desert and in parts of southern and eastern
Africa. They are generally seen on grassy plains, savannas, and dry woodlands but never
seen in heavily forested areas. The lion can be found in most of the National Parks and
Reserves in Africa.

Size & Lifespan

Males reach up to a shoulder height of 1.2meters and weight between 150-250kgs, females
are smaller and reach a shoulder height of 1.05m and weigh up between 120 -180 kgs.
Lions live for 12-16 years in the wild and 25 years in captivity.

Reproduction:
A lioness has a gestation period of about 110 days, after which she can gives birth to up to
four cubs. Generally she gives birth in a secluded areas away from the group and introduces
the cubs to the pride when they are about eight weeks old. Very often, several females give
birth at about the same time, and they share the duties of protecting and nursing the cubs.
Mothers nurse for up to 8 months, although they begin to take cubs to eat at animal kills
when they are as young as 3 months old. At about 11 months of age, cubs start learning to
hunt with the pride. Females take care of their young until they are about two, when the
mother is ready to produce a new litter.

Predators and Threats:

Although the population of lions is declining, they are not currently listed as endangered or
threatened. Threats include hunting, loss of habitat and human encroachment.

RHINOCEROS

Description and Characteristics:

The are two type of Rhino found in Africa - the Black Rhino and the White Rhino. Black
Rhinos are more rare than White Rhino

The white rhino has a more prominent square lip, are larger than black rhino and are not as
aggressive as black rhinos. Black Rhinos have a pointed mouth with a hooked lip. Black and
White Rhinos are grey in colour.

Both the black and white Rhino have two horns, the longer of which is in the from. They are
made of keratin which is the same material as hooves, fingernails and hair. The horns grow
out of the skin.

Rhinos survival has been threatened by the high demand for their horns over the years - in
the 1970's there was demand for their horns from the Arabs who used them in production
of dagger handles. There is a high demand for rhino horn from Asia who use them in
traditional medicine and ornamental carvings.

Feeding/drinking Habits:
White Rhinos are grass eaters (grazers), Black Rhinos are browsers, eating a large variety
of vegetation, including leaves, buds and shoots of plants, bushes and trees.

Habitat:
Black rhinos have various habitats, but are mainly found in areas with dense, woody
vegetation. White rhinos live in savannah's with close access to waterholes, mud wallows
and shady trees.

Size & Lifespan

The white rhino is larger and heavier than the black rhino.
White Rhino weighing 1,800 - 2,700 kg. Height: 5 - 6 ft (1.5 - 1.8 m) tall at shoulder,
Length: 12.5-15 ft (3.8-5m) length of head and body
Black Rhino weighing 800 - 1,350 kg, Height: 4.5 - 5.5 ft (1.4 - 1.7 m) tall at shoulder.
Length: 10- 12.5 ft (3.0-3.8m) length of head and body

The white rhino lives to about 50 years and the black rhino about 30-35 years in the wild
and 35-45+ years in captivity

Reproduction:
White Rhino: Gestation period is approximately 16 months with a birth interval of 1 calf
every 2 to 3 years .

Black Rhino: Gestation period is approximately 15 to 16 months. Birth intervals of a single

calf, every 2.5 to 4 years.

A calf will remain with her mother anything for 2-4 years

Predators and Threats:

Man has been the main predators of the Rhino - poaching them for their horns. Efforts are
ongoing to save the rhino from extinction.

WARTHONG

Description and Characteristics:

A member of the pig family warthogs are black, grey or brown in colour, with dark mane
and tail; white cheek whiskers. Their bodies are covered with sparse coarse bristly hair.
They have a long face with fleshy warts and protruding tusks.

Warthogs are sociable animals and are usually found in groups consisting of 1 or 2 sows and
young offspring. Males (boars) usually travel alone. Boars have more prominent warts than
sows. They are primarily used to protect the face during fights.

Warthogs use burrows for shelter and when entering, the warthog backs in enabling them to
defend themselves. In the mornings, warthogs burst out of their burrows at top speed to
get a running start on any predators that may be lurking nearby.

Although they look fierce, warthogs would rather run than fight. But they can be fierce
opponents if forced.
Feeding/drinking Habits:
Warthogs are grazers feeding mainly on grasses, roots, berries, bark, and occasionally
carrion. Warthogs will travel up to 7 km a day in search of good food and water. Whilst
grazing, they kneel on their front legs and even move around on their knees.

Habitat:
They are found in most of Africa south of the Sahara and are widely distributed in East
Africa. Usually found in savannah and lightly forested areas.

Size & Lifespan

Weighs 50 to 200 kg. 90 to 150 cms in length; standing between 64cm and 85.0 cm tall at
the shoulder
Males are heavier and slightly larger than females. They live up to 15 years in the wild

Reproduction:
Warthogs are seasonal breeders with the mating season taking place when the main rainy
season ends. They reach sexual maturity at about 18 to 20 months but males generally do
not begin mating until they are 4 years old. The gestation period is between 170 and 175
days. The young usually remain with the mothers for 2 years before venturing off to form
their own families

Predators and Threats:

Warthogs are not currently endangered but they are prey of lions, leopards, Spotted hyena,
cheetah and Wild dog