Aardvark [Orycteropus afer]. They have a body length of 110 cm and a shoulder height of 60 cm, and the tail is 60-70 cm long. The skin is pinkish-gray or...more
The name Aardwolf means 'earth wolf' in Afrikaans and stems from its supposed dog-like features and its dietary habits of eating termites which it digs...more
African Buffalo or Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer). A large and powerful bovine, the African Buffalo reaches shoulder heights of up to 1.5 m and a mass of...more
Civets are beautifully marked but secretive nocturnal animals with bushy coats with black and white spots and stripes. Civets are good swimmers. They...more
The African Giant Pouched Rat is generally considered to be the Gambian Pouched Rat [Cricetomys gambianu] which has been separated as a species from the...more
The primates of Africa are of the more common inhabitants. They live in trees and mountains and their most feared predator is the leopard. The primates...more
These mammals are easily recognised by their prehistoric features and the horns on their forehead. Rhinos are bold and have been seen to graze right next...more
Head and body length is 300mm, and the tail measures 175mm. The African Weasel weighs about 250-350 gr. They have long slender bodies with short legs...more
Six thousand years ago Egyptians domesticated the African Wild Cat to control mice and rats raiding granaries. From these tamed animals, the domestic...more
Ansorge's Free-Tailed Bat (Tadarida ansorgei) Like all so-called 'free-tailed' bats, the distal portion of the tail of the Ansorgi's Free-Tailed Bat is...more
Honey Badgers are about 250 mm high at the shoulders and weighs 12 Kg. The coats have a broad and course saddle of grey hair running from above the eyes...more
Banana Bat (Neoromicia nanus). The Banana Bat is a tiny bat which is 77 mm long and weighs 4.0 grams. The dense fur on the back can be various shades of...more
Banded Mongoose (Mungos mungo) males are only heavier than females during the immature stages. In adulthood both sexes are similar in size and mass...more
The Bat-eared Fox has a shoulder height of only 30cm, a length of about 75cm and weighs less than 5 kilograms. Its fur is a beautiful silver-grey colour...more
The adult is brownish black all over, except for a white spot above and below the eye. The centre of the chest and throat are white, with a broad black...more
The Bat-Eared Fox has a silver-gray fluffy coat, a black-tipped bushy tail with a black stripe on top. An outstanding feature is the enormous ears, which...more
Black backed Jackals are a widely distributed species that are known for their cunning and daring. They are often seen nipping in to steal a morsel from...more
This species is very secretive in nature, which makes it difficult to census. The Black-Footed Cat is nevertheless considered rare. Except for the very...more
Bulls weigh up to 1 200 Kg and cows about 800 Kg. As such this species is smaller than the White Rhino. It can further be distinguished from the White...more
They have a dark brown to black body, an erect mane and a long whitish tail. Both sexes have heavy, forward curving horns. Bulls measure 1.2 metre at...more
Physically, rams and ewes are remarkably similar. Their mass can be as much as 85 kg. A characteristic of the Blesbok is the prominent white blaze...more
The Blue Duiker is the smallest antelope in Southern Africa. Measures 300 mm at the shoulders and females weighs 4.7 kg, males only 4 kg. The coat is...more
The Bontebok is a medium-sized, generally dark brown antelope with a prominent, wide white blaze on its face, with a pure white rump, belly and hocks...more
Burchell's Zebra [Equus burchelli]. Body stripes are less numerous and broader than that of the Cape Mountain Zebra, whereas body stripes extend around...more
The Bush Pig is a strong, stocky pig with powerful forequarters. Its upper tusks are barely visible, but the lower tusks are razor sharp and grow to 7cm...more
The Bushbabies or Galagos of Africa are of the smallest primates on the continent and, although fairly common, are not easily seen due to their nocturnal...more
The very sharp horns render the Bushbuck very dangerous when wounded. The Bushbuck is a close relative of the Kudu and the Nyala. The rams are very...more
Bushpigs are nocturnal and can be very dangerous, as they use their sharp tusks when threatened. Their numbers have increased in areas where predators...more
The Cape Clawless Otter has 5 toes on the fore- and hind-feet. Those on the hind-feet are webbed for half their length, while webbing on the fore-feet...more
The Cape Ground Squirrel is a rodent endemic to South Africa. It measures 450 mm in length and weighs up to 1 kg. Upper parts are cinnamon coloured with...more
The Cape Grysbok is a small, shy antelope with a thick-set body and a coarse coat of hair. A mingling of white and reddish hair on the back and sides...more
There are twelve sub-species of the Cape Hare found throughout Africa. The female Cape Hare is slightly larger than the male. Their mass varies from...more
The Cape Mountain Zebra is the smallest of the zebra species, and has a mass of 230-260 kg and a shoulder height from 1.16 m to 1.28 m. Since the stripes...more
The Cape Clawless Otter measures 1,3 m in length and weighs about 13 kg. Except for the belly, throat, cheeks and upper lip, which are all white...more
Caracal A large, rufous-fawn Cat with tufted black ears, creamy underbelly with faded orange spots, and long legs. The face has exquisite markings...more
The Chacma Baboon is a large primate with a dog-like face and large, prominent canines. A mature male measures 1.5 m from head to tail and weighs up to...more
The Cheetah is credited as being the fastest land animal over short distances, and can reach speeds of up to 90 km/h (55.9 m/h) in pursuit of prey...more
The African Civet has short, dense fur that is a greyish colour, with black spots arranged in rows along their bodies. Their legs and about 2/3 of their...more
The Duiker gets its name from the Afrikaans word 'duiker' which means to dive, relating to the animal's habit of ducking away into bushes when danger...more
Damara Dik-Dik males are smaller and lighter than the females. The two sexes are respectively 386 mm by 5.1 kg and 394 mm by 5.6 kg. Only the rams...more
Desert Elephant. Namibia is well known for its diversity of wildlife and the high adaptability to the harsh environment shown by the creatures that...more
Red Forest duiker or Natal red duiker [Cephalophus natalensis]. The Red Duiker is smaller than the Common Duiker. Standing, it is 420mm at the shoulders...more
The Common Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula) is the smallest of the mongoose family, and both males and females weigh only 350-400 gr. Total length is...more
The total body of the Eastern Rock Elephant Shrew measures 260 mm and the tail is longer than the head and body length and it weighs about 60 grams...more
Eland [Taurotragus oryx]. Males can grow to a shoulder height of 1, 7 metres and weigh about 900 Kg. In spite of its heavy physique, eland are remarkably...more
The African Elephant is the world's largest land mammal, and weighs up to 7 tonnes and reaches heights of 3.3 m at the shoulder. Where are Elephants found?...more
These carniorous cats (Panthera) are extremely agile mammals and all live within a social hierarchy. Dominant males have breeding rights and the females...more
The Antelope (Hippotragus) is an omnivorous mammal that frequents the African bush. They have complex social structures ranging from the solitary...more
Buffalo are considered one of the most dangerous animals in Africa and the animal that hunters are most wary of. Buffalo have a reputation of lying in...more
The African Elephant (loxodonta africana) is the largest land mammal and males can grow up to 4m tall. Two thirds of the Kruger National Park's Elephant...more
The Leopard is a solitary member of the big cats. It is often confused with the Cheetah, but it is easily recognised by its panther-like features...more
Lions are carnivorous mammals that live within a strict hierarchy. Males are the dominant gender and although the females are the hunters, females and...more
Gemsbok or Oryx [Oryx gazelle]. The Gemsbok is one of the characteristic animals of the arid areas of Southern Africa, adapted to living in deserts...more
The giraffe is the tallest animal in the world, attaining a height of 5.5m, its incredibly long neck accounting for much of its height. The long neck has...more
This rodent is closer related to the porcupine than to veld rats. The spiny fur on the back and rounded nose distinguish this animal from true rats. A...more
Lichtenstein Hartebeests are large antelope with humped shoulders, sloping back and elongated head. Cows can weigh 180 Kg and adult bulls over 200 Kg...more
The Hartman's Mountain Zebra's coat is characterized by its series of black and white stripes. These vertical lines are thin and relatively close...more
Hedgehogs are small insectivores, characterised by their pointed faces and short, sharp spines covering the flanks and back as protection against...more
The Hippo is a massive, semi-aquatic mammal with a mass of up to 2,5 tonnes. It is able to walk under water on the river bed, and can remain submerged...more
The Hippopotamus a massive, semi-aquatic mammal with a mass of up to 2, 5 tonnes. The Hippopotamus is typically a slate brown colour to muddy brown...more
One of Africa's most ferocious animals, Honey Badgers have been known to attack Lions and Buffalo when threatened. They will also attack humans when...more
Impala [Aepyceros melampus]. This is the most common antelope of the bushveld regions of South Africa. A very graceful, rufous-fawn antelope, with...more
There are three species of Jackal in Africa: the Common or Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), found in East and North Africa and the Black-Backed Jackal...more
This species has a fine, silky fur which is grizzled rufous-brown on the upper parts of the body. It has a whitish chin and slightly lighter fur on the...more
The name Klipspringer is the Afrikaans for 'rock jumper' and alludes to the animal's ability in rocky territory where it can be seen moving freely...more
Kudu or Greater Kudu [Tragelaphus strepsiceros]. Kudu show strong sexual dimorphism in that bulls bear massive, long, spiral horns which reach record...more
The Large-Spotted Genet has a shoulder height of 210 mm, but this species is short legged. The elongated body has a length of 460 mm and a mass of 1.6 kg...more
Leopard [Panthera pardus]. Leopards have black spots arranged in rosettes, contrasted on a yellow-golden background. They have single black spots...more
The lesser bushbaby, known to scientists as Galago moholi, is a small, tree-dwelling primate active by night. They are capable of leaps of remarkable...more
Lesser Yellow House Bat (Scotophilus borbonicus) As implied by the popular name, this bat is similar in general appearance than it's sister species...more
A male Lion is 1.2m tall at the shoulders and has a mass of up to and over 200 Kg. Female lions (lionesses) are slightly smaller and weigh about 130 Kg. Lions prey mainly on large animals...more
Forest Shrew is a mottled, medium-sized shrew. Colouration is grey-brown to dark grey-brown. Head and body length is about 83 mm, with a relative short...more
Cape Golden Mole (Chrysochloris asiatica). These are small, blind, insectivorous mammals, and not remotely related to rodent moles. The minute eyes are...more
Unlike many tropical African countries, there are only two monkey species in South Africa, namely the vervet and the samango monkey. Both are fruit...more
The Mountain Ground Squirrel has previously been considered as a subspecies of the Cape Ground Squirrel, but has since been recognised as a species in...more
The Mountain Reedbuck is a medium-sized, graceful and shy antelope. Rams attain a mass of about 32 Kg and measures 750mm at shoulder. Ewes are smaller...more
Nyala [Nyala angasii or Tragelaphus angasii]. The handsome slate-brown shaggy coat is marked with white vertical stripes and spots on the flanks...more
Oryx or Gemsbok (Oryx gazelle). A large antelope with striking black and white markings on the face and legs, black side stripes on the flanks and a long...more
Pangolin, Ground Pangolin (Manis temminckii), also known as Temminck's Pangolin or the Cape Pangolin. The body is protected by armour of imbricated brown...more
Both the male and female African Porcupines weigh from 18 to 30 kg (about 40 to 60 pounds) and are about two feet long. The African Porcupine is a type...more
A gregarious antelope occurring in small herds. The social system is centralised on adult males maintaining and defending territories which accord them...more
The Red Hartebeest is a large, reddish-fawn antelope with sloping back and long narrow face. Both sexes have heavily ringed horns. Of the 12 subspecies...more
Three subspecies of lechwe occur in southern Africa. The red lechwe, Kobus leche leche, occurs in separate populations in western Zambia, northern...more
The two species of Rhino in Africa, Black Rhino and White Rhino, do not differ much in colour. The name White Rhino comes from the Dutch word 'wyd'...more
Roan Antelope [Hippotragus equines]. The body colour is overall fawn, with the lower parts of the legs dark brown to black. The distinctive black and...more
Rock Dassie – now known as Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis). This small, plump and tail-less guinea-pig-like animal is about as large as a big rabbit...more
The Sable Antelope is a large and handsome antelope. Sable Antelope are characterised by glossy black coats with white under parts and white facial markings. Cows and young are dark brown in colour....more
The handsome Sable Antelope is the national animal of Zimbabwe and is one of the most sought after for photographers and trophy hunters alike due to its...more
Males are larger than females, males have a mass of 7 to 9 kg and females 4 to 5 Kg. The tail is a third longer than the body. The coat of the head and...more
The Scrub Hare is larger in the south-western parts of the range (2.7-4.5 kg) than further north (1.5-3.2 kg). The upper parts are a grizzled-grey and...more
The Serval is a large, leggy and elegant, tawny-yellow wild cat richly marked with large, rather widely-spaced solid black spots which tend to run in the...more
Sharpe's Grysbok is a shy antelope, which is slightly smaller than the Cape Grysbok, and which has a thick-set body and a rich rufous-coloured coat. It...more
The Side Striped Jackal is a nocturnal, dog-like carnivore, with a head and body length of 650-800 mm and tail length of 300-400 mm. Shoulder height 400...more
Head and body length of a Sitatunga ram measures 1.5 to 1.7 m, with a tail of 200 to 250 mm. Rams weigh 80-125 kg. Ewes are smaller, head and body...more
Slender Mongoose (Galerella sanguinea), also known as the Black-tipped Mongoose or the Black-tailed Mongoose. Slender Mongoose females attain a mass...more
Small Grey Mongoose. Males are larger than females at 500 - 1000 gr. Total body length varies from 550 mm to 690 mm. Tail length between 200-340 mm...more
The Small-Spotted-Genet is slightly smaller than the Large-Spotted Genet, and the markings are more distinct black and white and without a rusty tinge...more
One of the characteristic predators of the African savannah the Spotted Hyena was long thought to be solely a scavenger but it is no known that it is one...more
The vernacular name of this creature is misleading, since the Spring Hare is in fact a rodent, and not a hare. Springhares are to some degree used as...more
Springbok [Antidorcas marsupialis]. Rams may weigh up to 50 Kg, and ewes only up to 37 Kg. Rams stand 750mm at the shoulders. Their striking body colour...more
The colour varies from light brown to darker brick-brown. The belly, the inside of the legs and underside of the tail are white. The ears are large, the...more
Polecats are close relatives of the African weasel, but differs in that it is larger, the coat hairs are longer, and that it has three characteristic...more
This petite antelope stands only 350mm at the shoulders, and rams weigh only 5 Kg. Ewes are slightly larger and weighs 5.4 Kg. Light-brown to chestnut...more
The Afrikaans name Meerkat refers to either the Yellow Mongoose or the Suricate, and is a derivate of a Dutch terms denoting a diet of ants. The Suricate...more
The Thick-Tailed Bushbaby is a nocturnal primate with child-like cries which gave cause for the English vernacular name. Probably due to its diet...more
Tree Squirrel or Smith's Bush Squirrel [Paraxerus cepapi] The total length is 350 mm, half of which is tail. This species only weighs 200 gram. The coat...more
The colouring is dark reddish-brown with a metallic sheen. The blaze on the face as well as the upper parts of the fore and hind legs down to the knees...more
Males have a mass of 6kg and measure 1.1 m in length, whereas females are slightly smaller and weigh only 4kg. Vervet Monkeys have a silver-grey body...more
Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus). This is the most commonly seen wild pig of the African Bush. It is a dull grey colour and has a naked skin which...more
With an overall length of 800 to 1000 mm, this is a large and robust mongoose. It has a mass of between 2.5 to 4.2 kg. Their tails are 300-410 mm long...more
The Waterbuck is a big antelope with a characteristic white circle around the tail and a collar of white hair around the neck. The colour of the rest...more
White-tailed Mongoose [Ichneumia albicauda] No size difference exists between the sexes, which are physically similar in appearance. Body length...more
The White-Tailed Rat is a thickset, mouse-like rodent with soft wooly fur. The body is coated with a buffy-grey coloured fur. Interspersed amongst the...more
Wild Dogs (Lycaon Pictus) occur in low population numbers as a consequence of large territories. The Wild Dog is one of Africa's most endangered mammal...more
Yellow House Bat or African Yellow Bat (Scotophilus dinganii) Larger than the lesser yellow house bat, but smaller than the giant yellow house bat...more
Yellow Mongoose. Total length is 400-600 mm, with a tail length of 180-250 mm. Mass is about 450-900 g. Has a triangular shaped face with a pointed snout...more
There are two species of Zebra in Southern Africa, the Plains or Burchell’s Zebra and the Mountain Zebra. As the names suggest they occur in vastly...more
