🌍Continental Habitat

Africa Wildlife

Discover the 123+ species native to Africa. Explore complete biological profiles, range maps, conservation status, and fascinating behavioral facts for every creature from this continent.

Africa Species (123 cataloged)

MammaliaLC

Aardwolf

Proteles cristata

Diet: Obligate insectivore specialized on termites
Wild lifespan: Wild average is poorly measured; captive individuals have approached 20 years

MammaliaEN

African Bush Elephant

Loxodonta africana

Diet: Herbivore; grazes and browses
Wild lifespan: Several decades; some approach 60–70 years

AmphibiaLC

African Clawed Frog

Xenopus laevis

Diet: Opportunistic aquatic carnivore and scavenger
Wild lifespan: Often 10–15 years; exceptional captive records exceed 20 years

ReptiliaLC

African Fat-Tailed Gecko

Hemitheconyx caudicinctus

Diet: Insectivore
Wild lifespan: Often 10–15 years in responsible captive care; wild longevity is poorly measured

AvesEN

African Grey Parrot

Psittacus erithacus

Diet: Frugivore
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is incompletely known; one compiled estimate is about 22.7 years

MammaliaVU

African Leopard

Panthera pardus pardus

Diet: Obligate carnivore and opportunistic ambush predator
Wild lifespan: Commonly around 12–17 years in the wild; longer in managed care

MammaliaVU

African Lion

Panthera leo

Diet: Obligate carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often 10–16 years; males commonly shorter-lived

SarcopterygiiAnimal group

African Lungfish

Protopterus

Diet: Aquatic carnivore and omnivore
Wild lifespan: Can live for decades under managed care

AvesCR

African Penguin

Spheniscus demersus

Diet: Carnivore: mainly anchovy, sardine and other small fish, plus squid and crustaceans
Wild lifespan: Often 10–15 years, with some individuals surviving longer

MammaliaCR

African Wild Ass

Equus africanus

Diet: Herbivore
Wild lifespan: Often 20 years or more under favorable conditions

MammaliaEN

African Wild Dog

Lycaon pictus

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often about 10–11 years in the wild

ReptiliaLC

Agama Lizard

Agama agama

Diet: Mostly insects and other arthropods
Wild lifespan: No reliable range-wide estimate

ReptiliaVU

Aldabra Giant Tortoise

Aldabrachelys gigantea

Diet: Primarily herbivorous grazer and browser
Wild lifespan: Commonly more than 100 years and potentially around 150 years

ActinopterygiiLC

Alfonsino

Beryx decadactylus

Diet: Deepwater carnivore
Wild lifespan: Long-lived; age estimates extend for several decades

AvesAnimal group

Alpine Birds

Aves of alpine ecosystems

Diet: Species-specific: plants, seeds, insects, other animals, carrion, or mixed foods
Wild lifespan: No group-wide lifespan; it differs by species

ActinopterygiiAnimal group

Amberjack

Seriola

Diet: Carnivorous
Wild lifespan: Species have separate longevity records; greater amberjack can live to about 17 years

InsectaLC

American Copper

Lycaena phlaeas

Diet: Herbivore as a caterpillar; nectar feeder as an adult
Wild lifespan: Adults generally live a few weeks; the full cycle may span months when dormant overwintering is included

ActinopterygiiAnimal group

Anemonefish

Amphiprioninae

Diet: Omnivore feeding on plankton, small benthic animals and algae
Wild lifespan: Species-specific; some wild females may survive for decades

SynapsidaEX

Anteosaurus

Anteosaurus magnificus

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Unknown from fossils

ReptiliaNT

Armadillo Girdled Lizard

Ouroborus cataphractus

Diet: Specialized insectivore
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is poorly quantified; cordylids can be long-lived for their size

ReptiliaNT

Armadillo Lizard

Ouroborus cataphractus

Diet: Specialized insectivore
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is poorly quantified; cordylids can be long-lived for their size

MammaliaAnimal group

Baboon

Papio

Diet: Omnivore with plant foods forming most of the diet
Wild lifespan: Species-specific; adults may live 20–30 years

AvesLC

Barn Owl

Tyto alba

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often 4–8 years in the wild, with some much older

ReptiliaLC

Bird Snake

Thelotornis kirtlandii

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Not reliably quantified

ReptiliaLC

Black Mamba

Dendroaspis polylepis

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Possibly 10–15 years in the wild

ArachnidaAnimal group

Black Widow Spider

Latrodectus

Diet: Carnivore; mostly insects and other arthropods
Wild lifespan: No single genus-wide lifespan; females outlive males in studied species

ReptiliaNE

Black-Throated Monitor

Varanus albigularis microstictus

Diet: Opportunistic predator and scavenger
Wild lifespan: Often 15–20 years in managed care; wild longevity is uncertain

ReptiliaAnimal group

Blind Snake

Scolecophidia

Diet: Insectivore
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is poorly known for most species

ActinopterygiiVU

Blue Marlin

Makaira nigricans

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Females may live about 20 years and males around 10 years; estimates vary by ocean and method

MammaliaLC

Blue Monkey

Cercopithecus mitis

Diet: Primarily frugivorous omnivore
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is incompletely documented; related guenons can live around two decades

MammaliaEN

Blue Whale

Balaenoptera musculus

Diet: Baleen-filtering carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often estimated at 70–90 years; some live longer

MammaliaLC

Blue Wildebeest

Connochaetes taurinus

Diet: Herbivore
Wild lifespan: About 20 years in the wild, with substantial mortality earlier in life

ReptiliaAnimal group

Bush Viper

Atheris

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Poorly documented in the wild; captive records cannot be applied uniformly across 18 species

MammaliaLC

Caracal

Caracal caracal

Diet: Obligate carnivore
Wild lifespan: About 10–12 years in the wild; up to roughly 17 years in expert care

ReptiliaAnimal group

Carpet Viper

Echis

Diet: Carnivore; rodents, lizards, frogs, arthropods and other small prey
Wild lifespan: No dependable genus-wide range

ReptiliaAnimal group

Chameleon

Chamaeleonidae

Diet: Primarily insectivore
Wild lifespan: About one year in extreme seasonal species to more than a decade in some larger chameleons

MammaliaVU

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often 6–10 years in the wild; longer in managed care

ReptiliaAnimal group

Cobras

Naja

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity differs among species and remains poorly measured

MammaliaLC

Common Bottlenose Dolphin

Tursiops truncatus

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Commonly 40–60 years; females often outlive males

AvesLC

Common Ostrich

Struthio camelus

Diet: Omnivore, primarily herbivorous
Wild lifespan: Often 30–40 years

ReptiliaAnimal group

Crocodile

Crocodylidae

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Varies by species

ArachnidaNE

Deathstalker Scorpion

Leiurus quinquestriatus

Diet: Invertebrate predator
Wild lifespan: Exact wild lifespan is poorly documented

MammaliaNE

Dromedary Camel

Camelus dromedarius

Diet: Herbivore
Wild lifespan: Commonly 30–40 years under good management, sometimes longer

ReptiliaLC

Dumeril's Boa

Acrantophis dumerili

Diet: Carnivore; small mammals, birds and lizards
Wild lifespan: Not reliably established

ReptiliaVU

Dwarf Crocodile

Osteolaemus tetraspis

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is poorly measured; crocodilians can live for several decades

AvesAnimal group

Eagle

Accipitridae

Diet: Carnivore and scavenger; prey differs by species
Wild lifespan: Species-specific; many large eagles can live for decades

ReptiliaLC

Eastern Tiger Snake

Telescopus semiannulatus

Diet: Small-vertebrate predator specializing in lizards
Wild lifespan: Wild lifespan is poorly known; related cat snakes can live more than a decade in managed care

ReptiliaLC

Egyptian Cobra

Naja haje

Diet: Opportunistic predator of small vertebrates
Wild lifespan: Often 15–20 years in managed care; wild lifespan is poorly documented

ReptiliaCR

Egyptian Tortoise

Testudo kleinmanni

Diet: Herbivore feeding on desert annuals and perennial plants
Wild lifespan: Several decades; often 30–50 years under suitable managed care

MammaliaEN

Ethiopian Wolf

Canis simensis

Diet: Carnivore, mainly rodent specialist
Wild lifespan: Often eight to ten years in the wild

MammaliaEN

European Rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Diet: Herbivore and hindgut fermenter
Wild lifespan: Many wild rabbits die in the first year; survivors may live several years

ReptiliaLC

False Cobra

Malpolon moilensis

Diet: Active predator of desert vertebrates
Wild lifespan: Wild lifespan is poorly quantified; likely more than 10 years for surviving adults

MammaliaLC

Fennec Fox

Vulpes zerda

Diet: Omnivore
Wild lifespan: Up to about 10 years in the wild and 11–14 years in expert care

MammaliaAnimal group

Field Mouse

Apodemus

Diet: Omnivore with a seed-rich diet
Wild lifespan: Often less than one year in the wild; some survive longer

MammaliaVU

Fin Whale

Balaenoptera physalus

Diet: Carnivore and filter feeder
Wild lifespan: Commonly 80–90 years, with some individuals living longer

ReptiliaLC

Forest Cobra

Naja melanoleuca

Diet: Generalist predator of vertebrates and eggs
Wild lifespan: About 15–20 years commonly reported in managed care; exceptional records exceed 25 years

MammaliaAnimal group

Forest Shrew

Sylvisorex

Diet: Small-invertebrate predator
Wild lifespan: No dependable genus-wide estimate

ReptiliaLC

Gaboon Viper

Bitis gabonica

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Poorly documented

ReptiliaAnimal group

Gecko

Gekkota

Diet: Mostly small-animal predators; some species also eat fruit or nectar
Wild lifespan: Species dependent; no reliable group-wide figure

ChondrichthyesEN

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Mobula birostris

Diet: Filter-feeding carnivore
Wild lifespan: At least 40–45 years is plausible; exact maximum remains uncertain

MammaliaLC

Giant Otter Shrew

Potamogale velox

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Wild lifespan is not reliably established

CephalopodaLC

Giant Squid

Architeuthis dux

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Probably around 3–5 years, based on growth studies and comparison with related squids

ChondrichthyesCR

Great Hammerhead Shark

Sphyrna mokarran

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Common estimates exceed 30 years, with some individuals aged beyond 40 years

ChondrichthyesVU

Great White Shark

Carcharodon carcharias

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: At least 70 years is possible, with major uncertainty among estimates

AvesLC

Greater Flamingo

Phoenicopterus roseus

Diet: Filter-feeding omnivore
Wild lifespan: Often 30–40 years in the wild

ReptiliaEN

Green Sea Turtle

Chelonia mydas

Diet: Adults mainly herbivorous; juveniles more omnivorous
Wild lifespan: Likely 60–80 years or more

InsectaAnimal group

Ground Beetle

Carabidae

Diet: Mostly predatory or omnivorous; many species also destroy weed seeds
Wild lifespan: Adults of some species live 1–4 years; family-wide variation is large

MammaliaNT

Guinea Baboon

Papio papio

Diet: Omnivore: fruit, seeds, leaves, roots, insects and small animals
Wild lifespan: Often around 20–30 years where conditions permit

MammaliaLC

Hamadryas Baboon

Papio hamadryas

Diet: Omnivore with a predominantly plant-based diet
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity can reach several decades; exact averages vary

MammaliaVU

Hippopotamus

Hippopotamus amphibius

Diet: Herbivore, primarily grazer
Wild lifespan: About 40 years in the wild, sometimes beyond 50 in managed care

MammaliaLC

Honey Badger

Mellivora capensis

Diet: Opportunistic omnivore dominated by animal prey
Wild lifespan: Likely 7–10 years in the wild; more than 20 years recorded in managed care

ActinopterygiiLC

Humpback Anglerfish

Melanocetus johnsonii

Diet: Deep-sea carnivore
Wild lifespan: Unknown

MammaliaLC

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Diet: Carnivore and filter feeder
Wild lifespan: Commonly estimated at 45–80 years

MammaliaLC

Impala

Aepyceros melampus

Diet: Herbivore; mixed grazer and browser
Wild lifespan: Commonly about 12–15 years in the wild

MalacostracaAnimal group

Isopod

Isopoda

Diet: Detritivores, scavengers, grazers, predators or parasites depending on lineage
Wild lifespan: Depends on the individual species and environment

AvesAnimal group

Jacana

Jacanidae

Diet: Mostly aquatic invertebrates plus seeds and plant material
Wild lifespan: Species-specific; no reliable family-wide figure

ReptiliaLC

Jackson's Chameleon

Trioceros jacksonii

Diet: Primarily insectivore
Wild lifespan: About 5–10 years, varying by sex and conditions

Multiple medusozoan classesAnimal group

Jellyfish

Medusozoa

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: From weeks to several years, depending on species and life stage

ReptiliaLC

Kenyan Sand Boa

Eryx colubrinus

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Not reliably quantified in the wild

MammaliaDD

Killer Whale

Orcinus orca

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Females may live 50–80 years or more; males often 30–60 years

InsectaAnimal group

Ladybug

Coccinellidae

Diet: Mostly predatory as a family, with fungal-feeding and plant-feeding exceptions
Wild lifespan: From months to more than a year depending on species and climate

ReptiliaVU

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

Diet: Carnivore specialized on gelatinous prey
Wild lifespan: Uncertain; likely several decades

MammaliaVU

Mandrill

Mandrillus sphinx

Diet: Omnivore with fruit as a major component
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is poorly documented; managed individuals can live 30–40 years

MammaliaLC

Meerkat

Suricata suricatta

Diet: Omnivore dominated by animal prey
Wild lifespan: Often five to ten years in the wild; around ten years in managed care

ActinopterygiiAnimal group

Moray Eel

Muraenidae

Diet: Carnivorous family including fish, crustacean and mollusk specialists
Wild lifespan: Species-specific and incompletely documented; some large morays live for decades

ReptiliaLC

Mossy Leaf-Tailed Gecko

Uroplatus sikorae

Diet: Nocturnal predator of small forest animals
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is poorly measured; well-managed captive individuals may live for a decade or more

MammaliaEN

Mountain Gorilla

Gorilla beringei beringei

Diet: Primarily herbivorous
Wild lifespan: Often 35–40 years in the wild

ReptiliaLC

Nile Crocodile

Crocodylus niloticus

Diet: Carnivore and opportunistic ambush predator
Wild lifespan: Often estimated at 50–70 years, potentially longer

ChondrichthyesVU

Nurse Shark

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Diet: Carnivorous bottom feeder
Wild lifespan: At least several decades; exact wild maximum remains uncertain

MammaliaEN

Okapi

Okapia johnstoni

Diet: Herbivorous forest browser
Wild lifespan: Often around 15–20 years; can exceed 25 in managed care

MammaliaLC

Olive Baboon

Papio anubis

Diet: Omnivore: fruit, seeds, leaves, roots, grasses, insects and small animals
Wild lifespan: Often about 20–30 years where conditions permit

ReptiliaVU

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Lepidochelys olivacea

Diet: Omnivorous marine forager with a strong invertebrate component
Wild lifespan: Unknown; commonly estimated at 30–50 years or more

MammaliaDD

Orca (Killer Whale)

Orcinus orca

Diet: Carnivore and apex marine predator
Wild lifespan: Females often 50–80 years and can reach about 90; males often 30–60 years

MammaliaAnimal group

Pangolin

Manidae

Diet: Specialized insectivore focused on ants and termites
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is poorly known; managed-care records cannot be generalized to all species

AvesLC

Peregrine Falcon

Falco peregrinus

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often 8–15 years in the wild

MammaliaNT

Plains Zebra

Equus quagga

Diet: Herbivore
Wild lifespan: Often 15–20 years in the wild; longer in managed care

MammaliaEN

Pygmy Hippopotamus

Choeropsis liberiensis

Diet: Herbivorous browser and fallen-fruit feeder
Wild lifespan: Often 25–35 years in managed care; wild longevity is poorly measured

MammaliaLC

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Diet: Omnivore
Wild lifespan: Often only a few years in the wild; exceptional wild individuals can live much longer

InsectaAnimal group

Rhinoceros Beetle

Dynastinae

Diet: Species-dependent herbivore, sap feeder or decomposer
Wild lifespan: From months to several years including the larval period, depending on species

MammaliaEN

Ring-Tailed Lemur

Lemur catta

Diet: Opportunistic omnivore dominated by plant foods
Wild lifespan: Wild median or typical survival is often around 15–16 years, with substantial individual variation

ReptiliaLC

Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko

Uroplatus phantasticus

Diet: Nocturnal insectivore
Wild lifespan: Often reported near 8–10 years in expert managed care; wild lifespan is unknown

ReptiliaAnimal group

Sea Turtle

Chelonioidea

Diet: Species-specific diets range from seagrass and algae to jellyfish, sponges and shellfish
Wild lifespan: Often several decades; reliable maximums differ by species and are difficult to measure

AvesEN

Secretary Bird

Sagittarius serpentarius

Diet: Carnivorous raptor
Wild lifespan: Wild longevity is poorly documented; managed birds may live around 15–20 years

AvesVU

Shoebill

Balaeniceps rex

Diet: Aquatic carnivore
Wild lifespan: Can exceed 30 years

ReptiliaAnimal group

Skink

Scincidae

Diet: Mostly insectivorous or omnivorous; some species are herbivorous
Wild lifespan: Species-specific; no valid family-wide lifespan

ReptiliaAnimal group

Snake

Serpentes

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Often 5–30 years; some large species exceed 30 years

MammaliaVU

Sperm Whale

Physeter macrocephalus

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: At least 60 years and possibly longer

MammaliaLC

Springbok

Antidorcas marsupialis

Diet: Herbivore
Wild lifespan: Often 7–12 years in the wild; can approach 20 years in managed care

ReptiliaVU

Sulcata Tortoise

Centrochelys sulcata

Diet: High-fiber herbivore
Wild lifespan: Often several decades and potentially around a century; exact wild maximum is uncertain

ReptiliaAnimal group

Turtle

Testudines

Diet: Herbivore, omnivore or carnivore depending on species
Wild lifespan: Commonly decades; some large tortoises can exceed 100 years

CephalopodaNE

Vampire Squid

Vampyroteuthis infernalis

Diet: Detritivore and opportunistic suspension feeder
Wild lifespan: Exact wild lifespan is unknown but appears much longer than the one-to-two-year lives of many shallow-water cephalopods

MammaliaLC

Vervet Monkey

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

Diet: Omnivore with a strong emphasis on fruit, seeds, flowers and leaves
Wild lifespan: About 11–13 years recorded in the wild; some captive individuals live much longer

AvesLC

Vulturine Guineafowl

Acryllium vulturinum

Diet: Ground-foraging omnivore
Wild lifespan: Up to about 15 years reported under managed care; wild longevity is less certain

MammaliaLC

Warthog

Phacochoerus africanus

Diet: Primarily grazing herbivore with flexible omnivorous habits
Wild lifespan: Typically about 7–11 years in the wild, with some reaching 15–18 years

ChondrichthyesEN

Whale Shark

Rhincodon typus

Diet: Filter-feeding carnivore
Wild lifespan: Estimated at many decades, possibly 80 years or more; exact longevity remains uncertain

MammaliaNT

White Rhinoceros

Ceratotherium simum

Diet: Obligate grazer and hindgut fermenter
Wild lifespan: Often 35–50 years in the wild

MammaliaLC

Wild Boar

Sus scrofa

Diet: Omnivore
Wild lifespan: Commonly less than 10 years in hunted wild populations; individuals can live longer

MammaliaLC

Xeric Four-striped Grass Rat

Rhabdomys pumilio

Diet: Omnivore dominated by seeds and green plant material
Wild lifespan: Usually less than 1–2 years in the wild, with longer survival possible in captivity

MammaliaLC

Yellow Baboon

Papio cynocephalus

Diet: Highly flexible omnivore with a plant-heavy diet
Wild lifespan: Females may reach 27 years in the wild; exceptional captive animals can live longer

ReptiliaLC

Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake

Hydrophis platurus

Diet: Carnivore
Wild lifespan: Not well established in the wild

MammaliaEN

Zanzibar Red Colobus

Piliocolobus kirkii

Diet: Leaf specialist with unripe fruit, seeds and flowers
Wild lifespan: Not precisely known; comparable red colobus can live two decades or more

MammaliaVU

Zebra Duiker

Cephalophula zebra

Diet: Fruit-specialist browser with leaves and shoots as supplements
Wild lifespan: Poorly known; comparable forest duikers can live more than 10 years

ChondrichthyesEN

Zebra Shark

Stegostoma tigrinum

Diet: Nocturnal carnivore specializing in bottom-dwelling invertebrates
Wild lifespan: Often estimated at 25–30 years, with precise wild longevity still uncertain

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