Iconic Safari Animals In Africa
Iconic Safari Animals In Africa : Experiencing wildlife in its natural habitat on a safari is an amazing opportunity. Previously an activity reserved for the daring, anyone can now go on safaris with the right supervision and safety precautions.
Given the variety of wildlife found there, it is possible that the most popular destination for safari enthusiasts is Africa, specifically Kenya and East Africa. For instance, because of the challenges associated with hunting certain animals, hunters designated them as the “Big 5.” Still, these days, everyone’s top safari animal sighting request is to see one of these animals. African lions, black rhinos, cape buffalo, leopards, and elephants are among them.
Lions
The lion, one of the most well-known animals on this subject, is frequently referred to as the “King of the Jungle.” This is believed to be a result of their extraordinary strength, dominance over other animals, and regal appearance. They have a lifespan of 10 to 14 years, and a group of them is referred to as a “pride.” Primarily found in grassy savannahs with water to drink, prey to hunt, and shade to rest under, they are found in sub-Saharan Africa. Lions essentially “starve” two days a week and only need to eat every few days, in contrast to humans.
They can weigh between 130 and 190 kg and run an astounding 50 miles per hour. A lion is referred to as a “Simba” in Swahili, an African language. If you are familiar with the story, musical, or film The Lion King, you might recognise this. These can be sighted at masai mara national reserve
Iconic Safari Animals In Africa : Gorillas
Along with apes, baboons, and chimpanzees, these are arguably the most similar animals to humans that you may encounter on a safari. We are all descended from primates, which explains this. 98% of our DNA is shared with gorillas, according to scientists! A troop of gorillas consists of five to thirty or more individuals. They are in danger of going extinct, though, as there are only a little over 1000 of them left in the wild. As a result, numerous conservation initiatives and ecotourism initiatives are underway to preserve them in nations like Rwanda and Uganda.
Giraffes
They live most of their lives standing up, did you know that? They even give birth and sleep on their feet. Because lions frequently hunt their young, it is evident how food chains function among safari animals.
Giraffes, in contrast to lions, are renowned for being silent animals. They have a voice box, or larynx, but we are unable to hear them because their vocal range is too high for our senses. In the UK, baby giraffes are referred to as calves, just like baby cows. They only require five to thirty minutes of sleep every day. Is it possible for you to live this way? We do, however, have one thing in common with them. Like our fingerprints, no two giraffes are alike in their markings. Despite having comparable appearances, no giraffe—not even its parents or siblings—has precisely the same markings as another. Can be spotted in Nairobi national park
Iconic Safari Animals In Africa : Elephants
Elephants are the largest land mammal on the planet, and you can see them by going on a safari. Their bodies are enormous, and they have long trunks and big ears. Their elongated teeth facilitate object picking, food gathering, and predator defence. Elephants search for water and dig holes with their trunks. African elephants are the biggest and heaviest elephants, weighing up to eight tonnes.
African savannah elephants, African forest elephants, and Asian elephants are the three different kinds of elephants. As herbivores, they consume grass, leaves, flowers, roots, and fruits. They can eat for the majority of the day because they are constantly hungry. Unknowingly to humans, when elephants experience anxiety, they occasionally suck their trunks.
In the wild, these safari animals have a lifespan of up to 70 years. While male elephants prefer to be by themselves, females and their young typically live in groups. These can be spotted in Amboseli national park, Tsavo east national park
Leopards
Big cats are referred to as leopards. They and pet cats share a lot of characteristics. Their fur is covered in black spots, which can occasionally resemble roses. Additionally, there are black leopards, whose fur is darker. Being mammals, they have fur, have warm blood, and give birth to live children rather than eggs. They are vicious hunters who pursue any available prey.
Leopards are found in a wide range of nations worldwide. Sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, India, and China are home to them. Because of their extreme adaptability, leopards can live anywhere. Mountains, forests, rainforests, and even swamps are home to them. They actually occupy more land than any other big cat. Because they are solitary creatures, leopards typically live by themselves.
Leopards are nocturnal animals and hunt at night. They hide in caves or take rests in trees for most of the day. Being carnivores, leopards consume a variety of foods. They hunt deer, antelope, birds, monkeys, fish, and grubs. A leopard will crouch low to avoid being seen and will remain silent when it detects a possible meal.
A fascinating fact about leopards is that their tails are roughly the same length as their bodies. This allows them to turn quickly and sharply and helps them balance along thin branches.
Iconic Safari Animals In Africa : Rhinos
The magnificent rhinoceros, also referred to as rhinos, are indigenous to Southern Asia and Africa. Rhinos have massive bodies and weigh approximately a tone or more. They eat grass, leaves, buds, and shoots despite their rounded shapes.
Due to human hunting for their horn, rhino populations have drastically decreased, making rhinos one of the most difficult animals to spot in the wild. Many rhinos are now housed in fenced sanctuaries and safari parks in an effort to stop their extinction. As you may know, the majority of rhino species have two horns, but some have just one.
Cheetah
A cheetah is another large animal that you might see on a safari. The cheetah belongs to the family of large cats, or Feline. They inhabit certain parts of Iran and the wild regions of Africa. Because they are carnivores, cheetahs have evolved certain traits that help them hunt very successfully. For instance, the only large cat with semi-retractable claws is the cheetah. They can better grasp the ground when they’re running by using their claws. In order to better see their prey, they also use their claws to climb trees.
Male and female cheetahs only come together for mating; they live separate lives. In a typical litter, females give birth to three to five cubs. The cubs are born blind and don’t open their eyes for ten days, just like kittens do. In order to help them blend in and hide from predators while their mother goes hunting, new born cubs have much darker coats.
Being the swiftest land mammal, cheetahs are known to make your safari experience unforgettable if you catch one running!
Iconic Safari Animals In Africa : Hyena
The hyena is among the most prevalent large carnivores in Africa. Hyenas come in four different species, each with its own unique size and form. Being carnivores, they typically consume the entire prey, including the bones and hooves.
Hyenas scream loudly, a sound they refer to as “laughter.” They are very talkative animals. A hyena’s laughter can be heard up to three miles away, in case you were unaware. To notify others of a food source, hyenas make this sound. Living in clans of up to 120 hyenas, they are highly gregarious animals that are rarely seen together at once. They are mostly composed of females who alternately look after the cubs.
Zebras
Zebras, a unique species of wild horse found throughout Africa, are distinguished by their stripes. The striped coats of zebras are well-known. Similar to a person’s fingerprints, each zebra has its own unique set of stripes. Zebras vary greatly in appearance. Families of zebras are small. The larger zebra groups, known as herds, comprise these families. Zebra herds occasionally band together with other herds for safety. “Super herds” are the term for these. A “super herd” of zebras can occasionally number in the thousands.
Hippos
To avoid the heat, this incredible semi-aquatic safari animal spends most of its time in the mud and water. They can stay in the water for up to sixteen hours a day, which keeps it cool. Although they resemble pigs, hippos are actually related to whales. Even though they are almost entirely submerged, they can still see, hear, and smell because their eyes, ears, and nose are all located close to the top of their heads. Due to their enormous jaw power and ability to easily outpace humans, hippos are considered to be among the most dangerous animals in Africa. They have a 40-year lifespan.
