African Savannah Animals Facts

It is a good thing to take a safari when you have some knowledge of some animals you will encounter in the game parks and reserves. Here are some facts about the African Savannah Animals.

Did you know…….

  • The big cats’ species and other large carnivorous are found in Africa, Asia, North, Central and South America representing a virtually global distribution. They are the most widely recognized and admired animals across the globe.
  • Even though lions are known as ‘King of the Jungle’ they live in grasslands and plains and not the jungle.
  • Male lions can eat about a third of their body weight at one sitting.
  • Cheetahs do not roar like lions. However, they do have a range of other meaningful vocalizations such as purring, growling and contact calls that resemble bird-like chirping sounds.
  • Leopards are super springy and can leap 6 meters forward through the air, the length of three adults lying head to toe.
  • A herd of elephants is led by the oldest female known as the Matriarch. She determines when the others will eat, bathe, drink or rest.
  • The African elephant has four nails on their front feet and three nails on their back feet.
  • The black rhinos are actually Grey. They have pointed upper lips which they use to twist off low-growing branches of trees and shrubs.
  • Rhinos have fantastic hearing and a great sense of smell but have terrible eyesight. They will struggle to spot something further than 30 meters away.
  • Buffaloes have poor eyesight and sense of hearing, but they have an excellent sense of smell and exceptional memory. They can never forget someone who tried to harm them even 10 years ago.
  • When buffaloes are ready to travel, they will stand and turn in the direction of the majority and the head female leads the herds to the winning direction.

Did you know…

  • The male giraffe takes a mouthful of the female’s urine to determine if she is on heat or not before mating.
  • An adult hippo needs to resurface every 3-5 minutes to breathe.
  • Flamingos are not pink, they are born with Grey feathers which turn pink due to a natural pink dye called canthaxanthin that is obtained from their diet of blue-green algae.
  • When a crocodile loses a tooth, it’s quickly replaced. They can go through 8,000 teeth over a lifetime.African Savannah Animals Facts
  • The ostrich has the largest eye of any land animals measuring almost 5 cm across and allowing predators to be seen at long distances.
  • Zebras can rotate their ears in almost all directions, this ability is used to communicate their mood with other zebras.
  • The Grevy Zebra is the largest of the wild equids distinguished by its unique stripes which are distinctive as human fingerprints. They are taller, have larger ears and have narrow stripes.
  • Out of the 1.5 million wildebeests that migrate annually, it is estimated that 250,000 wildebeests do not survive due to predation, hunger, thirst and exhaustion.
  • The hyrax is said to be the elephant’s closest living relative despite the huge difference in size and appearance.
  • African Savannah Animals Facts
  • An eagle’s vision can reach up 4 to 5 times further than a person with perfect vision. It can spot a rabbit 3.2km away.
  • Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.
  • Just like human beings, chimpanzees are prone to baldness and greying of hair as they grow older.
  • Gorillas display many human-like behaviours and emotions such as laughter and sadness. They even make their own tools to help them survive in the forest. They share 98.3% of their genetics code with humans, making them our closest cousins after chimpanzees and bonobos.
  • While sleeping, the dolphin shuts down only half of the brain along with the opposite eye. The other half of the brain stays awake at low-level alertness. The attentive side is used to watch for predators, obstacles or any other animals. It also signals when to rise to the surface for a fresh breath of air.
  • Sand temperature determines the sex of the turtle that hatch. Low-temperature results in female turtles while high temperatures result in male turtles.
  • African Savannah Animals Facts

Facts about Kenya’s tourist attractions…

  • Kenya holds the world record for ‘Bird-watch’ with 342 species seen in 24 hours and 494 species seen in 48 hours.
  • Kenyan Marine Parks and Reserves host another set of The Big Five; The dolphin, turtle, whale, shark and the dugong.
  • Amboseli National Park is one of Kenya’s most popular parks. The name ‘Amboseli’ comes from a Maasai word meaning ‘salty dust’, it’s one of the best places in Africa to view large herds of elephants up close.African Savannah Animals Facts
  • Shimba Hills National Reserve is one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa after Arabako Sokoke Forest. It is rich in flora and fauna and hosts the highest density of African elephant in Kenya.
  • Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in Eastern Africa with its rugged glacier-clad summits, afro-alpine moorlands and diverse forests that illustrate outstanding ecological processes. The mountain is located in the equator where the sun rises and sets at almost the exact time each day, 5.30 am and 5.30 pm.
  • The Kakamega forest is the only remnant in Kenya of the once-great tropical rain forest that stretched across Central Africa.
  • The Tsavo National Park offers magnificent game viewing in the world. Vast herds of dust-red elephants, fats pods of hippo, giant crocodiles, a fantasia of bird-life and some magical flora.
  • Ruma National Park is Kenya’s last remaining sanctuary for endangered roan antelope.

Information compiled courtesy of Kenya Wildlife Service


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16 Responses

  1. Lanta Eco News says:

    Fascinating facts! These were so interesting to read. Amazing that crocodiles can get through 8,000 teeth in a life time. Did you know they can live up to 80 years?

    It’s great to learn more about animals to appreciate and understand them and, hopefully, this leads to more respect for them and making sure they are protected and not harmed by humans.

    Kenya is lucky to have so many national parks. Going on safari must be an amazing experience.

    • Anita says:

      Yes going on safari especially when you have facts about the animals you will see is definitely an amazing experience. Crocodiles leave that long…80 years hence reason they have that much teeth experience.

      Learning about wild animals makes it easy to understand them and live with them harmoniously. Hope everyone will embrace them in the world.

  2. Stephanie says:

    Wow! Awesome site. Going on a safari would be amazing! The incredible amount of animals to see is unbelievable and definitely worth the expense. At the same time, it does seem incredibly overwhelming to plan such a trip especially if you are travelling from another continent. As much information you can acquire beforehand from someone who’s been there is such an invaluable tool. I look forward to reading the rest of your site. Keep up the great work!

  3. Dany says:

    Interesting information you shared. I learned a lot of new things from your article, like the male giraffe habit, flamingos are not born pink (wow, never knew it) and the best one the crocodile teeth, just to name a few. It seems a fantastic safari destination, the only problem I see is the heat, which I don’t support very well.

    Thank you for an informative article.

    • Anita says:

      Glad you learnt something new Dany. Not sure which heat you are talking about or where you come from but East Africa has the best weather since it lies along the equator. The temperatures range between 20-34 degrees Celsius though this varies, we have sunny days, rainy days, cold days and humid days through the year.

  4. Kim says:

    Hi Anita, this is really awesome informations. I really love animals and have always wanted to take a tour through game parks. It sickens me when I come across articles about people shooting these wonderful animals. I think all animals should be protected from harm and death by hunters.

    That’s so cool about the oldest female elephant will lead the herd, it just goes to show us that females are superior over males. LOL 

    Kim

    • Anita says:

      Hello Kim, glad you enjoyed reading my article. It is had to understand why some human thrive with killing animals that are just minding their business.

      Well I can’t really say females are superior to males, just that females care more about the family. Though the male elephants are loners, when the female are in danger, they always come to the rescue and protect the herd. 

  5. Priscilla says:

    Interesting. Going on safari in Africa is on my list of things to do. And you’ve narrowed it down to Kenya. Thanks! I would love the bird watch. I hadn’t considered that there were actually so many “other” animals to see. I only think about lions, tigers and elephants. Thanks for sharing this information. I will try to put together a trip to Kenya in the future!

    • Anita says:

      It would be lovely to have you in Kenya, Priscilla you will have a good time. If you love bird watching, check out places you can do these in Kenya on the link.

      Just to note that there are no tigers in Africa, just Lions, Cheetahs and Leopards.

  6. eohia says:

    Wow… these are really interesting facts. I never knew this facts about any of these animals. That of the Buffalo not forgetting even in 10 years made me laugh out loud. 

    I’ve heard of the famous Kenya safari since childhood. It’s on my bucket list. I really hope to explore and experience it.

    Thank you Anita for sharing this enlightening and educative post.

  7. Rutz says:

    Wow! This is the best read ever. very interesting facts about animals.  It makes me want to go on a safari in my country! Its amazing how a buffalo can have a memory spanning to 10 years! For the elephants, how about the nursing mothers?  Are they tucked in the middle or behind the herd?

    • Anita says:

      Am glad you enjoyed reading the article Rutz, please go on a safari and just enjoy what nature has to offer. African Buffaloes and their huge memory are one of the most dangerous animals, you wouldn’t want to joke with them. Elephants are very intelligence and loving social beings, if there are young ones in the group who are still trying to catch up with life, they will move at the pace of the slowest so none is left behind.

  8. Pardeap says:

    Visiting Kenya has been on my list for a long time.  Your article has rejuvenated my desire visit.  Zoology and wildlife in general  is one of my favorite subjects.  Visiting Kenya will definitely be most beneficial to experience the both.  I also enjoy wildlife photography, so combining both subjects will be like a dream come true.  I live in Vancouver, BC and the only wild life I see is a cat once in while. Thanks for inspiring nature and its beauty.

    • Anita says:

      I hope one day get a chance to visit Kenya and fulfill your long time dream. If you love wildlife then you should start planning on visiting Africa as it is one of the best places to exercise your hobbies. A cat is a good start to interacting with animals but please plan on seeing the Bigger cats, they do have similar traits you know.

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