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Animal Facts for Kids | Endangered Animals

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Did you know that elephants hold grudges or that cougars can't roar? Discover unique animal facts and learn wildlife conservation tips at Animal Fact Guide.

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African Savanna: Endangered Animals for kids

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African Savanna: learn about elephants, rhinos, lions, nature, and more! Tons of animations!

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South American Animal facts - Interesting information and several lists of facts about the wide range of species that live in South America.

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Africa is a huge continent that's made up of many different habitats, including sand, rock, water and grass. Each of those habitats is the perfect place for all sorts of cool creatures to live. Get to know some of the awesome animals of Africa!

Rock: The Ethiopian Highlands

Millions of years ago a volcano erupted and made a huge dome 620 miles wide. This mountain range is called the Ethiopian Highlands. During the rainy season, many rare animals feed off the grass and plants that grow among the rocks.

Ethiopian Wolf: This carnivore (meat-eater) lives in pairs or small groups. Every morning the pack gathers for a noisy greeting ceremony. Then they start hunting for small mammals to eat during the day. Their long, thin snouts (noses) are perfect for sniffing out rats. These are only found in Ethiopia, and there are only 500 left in the wild.

Ethiopian Wolf

Gelada Baboon: With the strongest fingers of any primate, this baboon is a great climber and lives in grass-eating groups of up to 800 baboons. At night, they sleep together on rocky cliffs to avoid predators.

Gelada Baboon

Walia Ibex: This rare goat species grazes in groups, so they can alert each other if there's any sign of danger. Their rubbery hooves have hollow middles that act like suction cups to help the walia jump between rocks.

Grass: The Savanna

Grass is the main plant of the Savanna's ecosystem. This grass provides food for the hundreds of species of herbivores (plant-eaters) that roam across the African Savanna.

Red-Billed Quelea: This small bird has a huge effect on its habitat. The birds cluster in flocks that can number in the thousands. At dawn, the flock searches for seeds and, by sunset, some farmers may find themselves without any crops left!

Red-billed Quelea

Wildebeest: Also called gnus, herds of wildebeest start migrating across Africa in May, walking up to 2,000 miles every single year. Throughout their trip, the animals' hooves spread grass seeds and fertilize the ground, feeding birds and bugs.

Wildebeest

Hyena: These carnivores leave their cubs at home for as long as four days at a time to find food. Hyenas can digest even the toughest parts of an animal, leaving behind few scraps for scavengers.

Sand: The Deserts

Africa is home to the largest desert on earth - the Sahara. It's also home to the Namib Desert and the Kalahari. The climate is harsh, with high air temperatures and little rain. Animals in the desert have adapted to survive this tough environment.

Dromedary Camel: These store fat, not water, in their one humps, and can survive for days without anything to drink. But once they find water, dromedaries can gulp down 30 gallons in just a few minutes - a trick that would kill other animals. Dromedaries have furry ears, hairy nostrils and two layers of long, curly eyelashes any girl would KILL for! During a desert sandstorm, which can raise up walls of dust a mile high, dromedaries shut their ears, noses and eyes.

Dromedary Camel

Augrabies Flat Lizard: These lizards live along the Orange River, which flows through the Kalahari Desert. Because the river attracts so many bugs and flies, the lizards can catch up to 17 flies per minute! At sunset, these cold-blooded reptiles squeeze between rocks, where it's still warm.

Augrabies Flat Lizard

South African Onyx: Also called a gemsbok, these animals move across the Namib desert in herds of 10-30. When a predator approaches, the herd circles its calves with horns facing out. To survive the heat, the onyx can make itself stop sweating in order to conserve water.

Onyx or Gemsbok

Namib Lion: These have adapted to the desert environment by absorbing almost all the moisture they need from their prey, the Oryx. In fact, desert lions can survive for two or three weeks without drinking water.

Namib Elephant: Africa's largest herbivore survives in the desert by digging deep to find juicy, succulent plant roots. Their smaller bodies save water and their large ears are filled with blood vessels that spread the heat around their bodies evenly to keep the cool as they search for new water holes.

Namib Elephant

Water: The Rivers

During the dry season, herds of animals walk miles to find water. Africa is home to the planet's largest freshwater lakes: Malawi, Tanganyika and Victoria It's also home to the longest river in the world, the Nile.

Nile Crocodile: These crocs can grow up to 16 feet long, and like to hide along the river's edge, waiting for dinner to walk their way. Even so, it can take a up to an hour to drown a powerful Wildebeest.

Nile Crocodile

Chacma Baboon: These scavengers eat fruit, bugs and seeds. They are the largest and heaviest baboon species in the world. It's hard for them to walk upright, but they must do it in order to cross a flooded river. In fact, no member of the group, young or old, would ever be left behind.

Chacma Baboon

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Africa is a huge continent that's made up of many different habitats, including sand, rock, water and grass. Each of those habitats is the perfect place for all sorts of cool creatures to live. Get to know some of the awesome animals of Africa!

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Find amazing facts about animals, science, history and geography, along with fun competitions, games and more. Visit National Geographic Kids today!

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Endangered animals- what does this mean?

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Endangered animals- what does this mean?

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Back to Animals

What are Endangered Animals?

Endangered animals are animals that are in danger of becoming extinct. This means that there will be no more of these animals alive on earth. An animal is considered endangered or "threatened" when there are very few of them alive.

Some animals are more threatened than others. To keep track of how at risk of becoming extinct a species may be, scientists categorize the level of risk with a different name. From the most threatened animal to least threatened these names are:

1) critically endangered
2) endangered
3) vulnerable

There are also some animals that only exist in captivity (for example in a zoo). These animals are called "extinct in the wild".

What are some of the most endangered animals?

These are animals that are categorized as Critically Endangered. Here is just a sampling from the list:

Black Rhinoceros - There are only a few black rhinos left. They mostly live in Western Africa. They are mostly threatened due to hunters killing them for their horns.

Red Wolf - The red wolf originally lived in the Southeastern United States. There are only a few hundred left, most of them living in captivity.

The Red Wolf

Others include theSiberian Tiger, Florida Panther, Mountain Gorilla, California Condor, and the Giant Ibis.

Some "endangered" animals include the Sea Otter, Loggerhead Sea Turtle,Giant Panda, Blue Whale, Albatross, and the Snow Leopard.

Some "vulnerable" animals include theLion, Cheetah, Hippo, Dingo, Polar Bear, Humpback Whale, and the Macaroni and Royal Penguins.

How are endangered animals protected?

Many countries throughout the world have laws that protect endangered species. It is often a crime to kill or injure an endangered or protected animal. In the United States there are a number of laws that protect endangered animals. These laws are part of the Endangered Species Act which was signed into law byPresident Nixon in 1973. These laws help protect the animals and their habitat. They also include programs to help animals recover called Recovery Plans. The main agencies that enforce the laws and help protect the animals are the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Throughout the world there are also wildlife or nature preserves. These preserves are large areas of land where animals and their habitat are protected. Development is very limited or prevented altogether on the lands. Hunting is also limited or illegal. Critically endangered animals are often protected by keeping some of them captive and breeding them in captivity. This helps scientist to keep the species alive and also helps them study the animals.

Scientists also study the animals in the wild in order to understand what may be affecting their population. With good science, scientists may be able to help a species of animal survive extinction.

More on endangered species:
Amphibians in Danger
Endangered Animals
How Animals Become Extinct
Wildlife Conservation
Zoos

Back toAnimals

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Back to Animals What are Endangered Animals? Endangered animals are animals that are in danger of becoming extinct. This means that there will be no more of these animals alive on earth. An animal is considered endangered or "threatened" when there are very few of them alive.

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African animals list with pictures and facts. Click on the pictures to discover more about the animals.

Africa is home to many of the world's most famous animals. Lions, zebras, giraffes, gorillas, hippos, crocodiles and rhinos are all found in the wild in the continent. You'll see pictures of all of these - plus many more amazing animals - in the list below.

Africa is the world's second largest continent (Asia is the largest). Habitats range from rainforest to desert, and Africa's animal life is every bit as varied as its landscapes.

The animals included on this list represent just a fraction of what can be found in the continent, and we'll be adding new species regularly - so be sure to come back soon!

You can click on many of the images below to find out more amazing facts about the animal.

List of African Animals: Introduction

Perhaps the best-known African habitat is savanna (UK spelling: savannah). Savannas are grasslands with widely-spaced trees. They are home to many of Africa's most recognizable animals, including lions, cheetahs, giraffes and zebras.

Africa's rainforests are extremely important habitats for endangered species such as gorillas and okapis.

Deserts such as the Sahara Desert are home to species with special adaptations for living in the intense heat.

How many species on our African animals list have you heard of?

African Animals List

Aardvark

The aardvark is a nocturnal mammal whose diet consists mainly of ants and termites. It uses its excellent sense of smell to find food, and its long, sticky tongue to capture its prey.

The aardvark is an expert digger, and can even burrow its way out of danger from predators.

Although slightly pig-like in appearance, the aardvark is not a member of the Suidae (pig) family. In fact, the aardvark is the last remaining species of the order Tubulidentata.

You can find out more about aardvarks here.

Aardwolf

Aardwolf means 'earth wolf' in Afrikaans, a language spoken by many South African people. The aardwolf lives in scrublands in eastern and southern Africa.

The aardwolf is nocturnal, and sleeps in burrows during the day. Although the aardwolf is in the hyena family, it doesn't eat large animals. Instead, it eats insects, its favourite food being termites.

The aardwolf uses its long, sticky tongue to capture and eat up to 250,000 termites in one night!

African Elephant

The African elephant is the world's largest land animal. Recent studies have shown that there are two subspecies of African elephant: the African bush elephant, and the smaller African forest elephant.

Learn about the amazing African elephant here.

Antelopes

There are 91 species of antelope, most of which are native to Africa. They live in a range of habitats, including forests and grasslands. Antelopes are herbivores (plant eaters), and many species live in large herds.

Living in herds helps to keep antelopes safe from predators. With all those eyes and ears looking and listening out for danger, predators find it hard to approach undetected.

Baboon

Baboons are monkeys with long muzzles and close-set eyes, giving their faces a dog-like appearance.

Baboons live in groups called troops, which range in size from 5 to 250 individuals. Male baboons use noises and visual threats such as showing their sharp, pointed teeth to establish their standing within the troop.

You can find out more about baboons here.

Bonobo

The bonobo is an endangered primate that lives in the Central African rainforests. It is closely related to the chimpanzee.

Buffalo

The African buffalo has distinctive upwards-curved horns. The buffalo is a very thick-set and robust animal, generally standing at around 1.5m (5ft).

Although distantly related to other bovines, the buffalo is not an ancestor of domestic cattle.

Bushbaby

Also known as Galagos or Nagapies (which means 'little night monkeys' in Afrikaans), Bushbabies are nocturnal (active at night), and have large, round eyes, giving them excellent night vision.

Bushbabies have long tails that help them balance, and powerful hind legs for jumping. When leaping through dense vegetation, bushbabies can fold their bat-like ears back for protection.

Cheetah

The cheetah is the world's fastest land animal. It uses its great speed to capture its prey, which consists of animals such as antelope and hares.

The cheetah's coat is pale brown / yellow and covered with distinctive black spots. The spots provide camouflage, breaking up the animal's outline against grasses and other foliage.

The cheetah is a member of the felidae (cat) family.

Click here to learn more awesome cheetah facts.

Crocodile

You need to be careful when walking near rivers and lakes in Africa; the continent is home to several species of crocodile!

Crocodiles are large, meat-eating reptiles, and are among Africa's most dangerous animals. These ambush predators lie in wait in shallow water for their unsuspecting prey to approach.

The largest African crocodile is the Nile crocodile. It is the second-largest crocodile species: only Australia's saltwater crocodile is bigger!

Giraffe

No African animals list would be complete without the giraffe! One of the most distinctive of all animals, this long-necked creature is the world's tallest land animal.

Its extreme height gives the giraffe easy access to tall trees, meaning that it can eat plants and leaves that other herbivores can't reach.

You can find out more about the tallest creature in the world here.

Gorilla

Gorillas live in the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are members of the great ape family Hominidae, and are the largest living primates.

Despite their fearsome looks, gorillas are peaceful creatures and are largely herbivorous.

There are two species of gorilla: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. Both are critically endangered. Only 880 mountain gorillas (a subspecies of eastern gorilla) are left in the wild.

Gorilla Charity: The Gorilla Organization.

Hippopotamus

The word 'hippopotamus' is derived from ancient Greek for 'river horse'. It is a fitting name for this large animal, which has a semi-aquatic lifestyle.

Commonly known as 'hippos', these herbivorous animals spend most of the day bathing in water or mud, only emerging at dusk when the temperature is cooler.

A smaller hippo species, the pymgy hippo, lives in Africa's rainforests.

The hippos' closest relatives in the animal kingdom are the Cetaceans - the group of animals that includes whales and porpoises.

Hyena

Hyenas may look like a mixture between a dog and a wolf, but they are more closely related to cats and viverrids (cat-like mammals).

Although hyenas have a reputation for being scavengers it is only the striped hyena and the brown hyena that find most of their food this way. The spotted hyena (also known as the laughing hyena) actively hunts most of its own prey.

The fourth member of the hyena family is the Aardwolf, which appears further up this list.

Hyenas often appear in African and Middle Eastern folklore and mythology.

Jackal

Jackals are small canines (members of the dog family). They have long, agile legs and curved teeth that are well adapted to their omnivorous diet. Jackals are built for long distance running and are most active at dawn and dusk.

Leopard

The leopard is a fast and powerful big cat that is found in Africa and Asia. Its coat is dotted with distinctive rings known as ' rosettes '. These provide camouflage in the grasslands and forests in which the leopard lives.

After subduing its victim, the leopard will sometimes drag its prey up a tree. Here the leopard can finish its meal in peace away from other predators.

You can learn some amazing leopard facts here.

Lion

Although known as the 'king of the jungle', the lion is actually the second biggest of the big cats (the tiger is the biggest).

Lions tend to be fairly inactive during the day and can spend up to 20 hours of the day resting.

Lions are most active after dusk, when they groom and socialise before going to hunt. Lions are carnivores (meat eaters) and use teamwork to capture large prey.

Mongoose

There are around 33 species of mongoose. These small mammals are found in Africa and Asia. They range in size from 20cm (8in) to 60cm (27in).

Mongooses are diurnal (active during the day). Their diet consists mostly of insects, earthworms, and other small creatures such as crabs, lizards, snakes, and birds.

One of the best-known species of mongoose is the meerkat, which lives in desert habitats in southern Africa.

Monkeys

Africa is home to many species of monkey, including the black-and-white colobus monkey, mandrill, de Brazza's monkey and the vervet monkey (pictured above).

Some species live in trees and some tend to stay on the ground. Most monkeys are active during the day and live in organized social groups.

Monkeys are omnivorous (i.e. they eat both meat and plants).

Monkeys range in size from pygmy species which can be as small as 12cm (4.6 in) in height, to larger species which can weigh up to 36kg (80lb).

Okapi

These shy, rarely-seen African animals live in the forests of central Africa. They have zebra-like stripes, but in fact are more closely related to the giraffe. The okapi's markings provide camouflage in the forest environment.

The okapi is an endangered species.

Ostrich

The ostrich may not be able to fly, but it is a true record breaker. Not only is it the world's largest bird, but it is also the fastest (on land) and the layer of the biggest eggs!

Ostriches mainly eat grasses and other plants, but occasionally also eat insects and bugs.

Pangolin

The pangolin's most distinctive feature is its thick, armored coat, which is made of keratin - the same substance out of which fingernails and hair are made.

Pangolins are often referred to as ' scaly anteaters '. They live in hollows in trees or in burrows, and are active at night. They eat ants and termites.

Rhinoceros

The rhinoceros is another creature that is sure to appear in any list of African animals. These big, powerful animals are unmistakeable due to their bulk and distinctive nose horns.

There are five species of rhino, two of which, the white rhino and the black rhino, are found in Africa. The black rhino is critically endangered.

Rhinos are herbivores and mainly eat grass.

Serval

The serval is a medium-sized wild cat that is closely related to the African golden cat. Servals are tall, with small heads and big ears. They have yellow-gold coats with black spots.

Servals are fast and agile, and their diet consists of a variety of small creatures such as birds, mammals and reptiles. They are nocturnal, and their preferred habitat is savannah.

Warthog

The warthog is a member of the pig family, Suidae. It lives in grassland and savanna habitats. There are two species of warthog, the common warthog and the desert warthog.

The common warthog, as its name suggests, is widespread throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa. The desert warthog is found in parts of east Africa.

Warthogs are large animals with two pairs of tusks protruding from their faces. These are used for digging and for fighting with other warthogs.

The warthog's name refers to the fleshy bumps on its face.

Wildebeest

Wildebeests, also known as gnus, are a type of antelope. Herds of wildebeest are a common sight on the African savanna, often mingling with herds of zebra.

Wildebeest are mostly found in open plains or woodlands, where they graze on grass.

Zebra

The zebra is one of the most distinctive African animals. Its black and white striped coat is famous throughout the world.

Zebras are herd animals, and are found in grasslands, savannas and woodlands.

There are t hree species of zebra, the plains zebra, Grévy's zebra and mountain zebra.

You can find out more about zebras here.

African Animals List: Conclusion & Related Pages

We hope that you have enjoyed this list of African animals, and have clicked on some of the pictures for more information on your favourite species!

What's your favorite African animal? Are there any we've missed? Let us know in the comments below!

You can learn more about African countries using this simple map.

Now you're an expert on African animals, it's time to discover more of the animal kingdom! Visit this page to get started: Animals: The Ultimate Guide.

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In Africa you will find some of the most incredible creatures in the world. The fastest, largest, and weirdest animals on the earth live there. Here you will find pages of interesting facts about these amazing animals.