My Animal Generator
Random animal generator

African Animals

What animals live in Africa?

Africa is home to animals as different as the lion, the okapi and the fennec fox. They live in different parts of the continent and use different habitats. This directory combines species recorded in Africa, including some that also occur elsewhere. Browse the photo list to find animals from savannas, forests, deserts and wetlands, then open the individual profiles to see their habitat, diet, scientific name and recorded conservation status.

Browse 273 animals

Grassland and savanna animals

Open country with grasses and scattered trees is home to many of the animals associated with an African safari. Lions can hunt grazing mammals where there is enough prey and cover. African savanna elephants feed on a range of vegetation, and ostriches travel on long legs rather than flying. Water availability, grazing and vegetation change between wet and dry seasons. As you compare species, notice which can travel long distances and which rely on cover for food, shelter or hunting.

Forests, wetlands and deserts

The Congo Basin has rainforest species such as the okapi, which browses under forest cover. Hippos depend on water for much of the day and come out to feed on land. Farther north, the Sahara and nearby dry country are home to desert animals such as the fennec. Choose one animal from each of these places and compare its ears, feet or coat in the photographs. A body feature may help with temperature, movement, hearing or camouflage in a particular habitat.

Read the range on each profile

A species can live in one small part of Africa or have populations on several continents. The leopard occurs in Africa and Asia, while the okapi is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. An Africa tag shows that the species occurs in the region. Check the individual profile and its sources for a more specific range. That distinction is especially helpful when you are making a map or grouping animals from a particular ecosystem.

African Animals List