If there is a continent so rich in different animal species, it is Africa. African animals are so diverse in their physical characteristics, attitudes, instincts and behaviors in general. Much has been discovered and documented about the African animals, but there are still quite a few strange facts about these animals found in Africa that are not widely known.
Some of their characteristics are regulated and some of these traits are part of the overall animal behavior ascribed to each species, making them unique. This article examines some of these innate yet strange characteristics of these African animals.
1. African Elephants
The African elephants are the largest of elephants on the planet and they are typically found in Kenya and South Africa. Aside from a rather long nose, it has a very strong sense of smell, being able to smell water 3 miles away. Each flapping ear weighs up to 50 kg and female elephants have been known to breed every 4 years from the age of 12. However, the calving interval increases to 5 years from the age of 52 and 6 years from the age of 60 if more offspring are needed. Otherwise, reproduction can be suspended for up to 13 years in elephant-crowded areas. Despite its 4 legs, the elephant is the only mammal that cannot jump.
2. Cheetahs
Cheetahs are not known for roaring, instead making a chirping sound that closely resembles the whining of a dog and the chirping of birds, among other things. This sound is so intense that it can be heard up to a mile away. These African animals are not only the fastest land animals, able to reach speeds of up to 113 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds, but they are also the only animals of the big cat family to live in can rotate mid-air while sprinting and are able to retract their claws.
3. Anteaters
Anteaters are a group of African animals whose name doesn’t indicate what it does. Anteaters actually prefer termites over ants, so a name change may be needed in the future.
4. Ostriches
Ostriches are the world’s heaviest and largestbird. They are found to live only in the central and southern parts of Africa. The male ostriches weigh up to 350 pounds. These flightless African animals are among the fastest bipeds, a feat aided by their very long legs, which are also used to attack when frightened and a single kick could be fatal to a lion. When it comes to reproduction and recognition, a female ostrich shows a remarkable ability to recognize her own eggs, even when they are mixed with those of other ostriches from the same environment and speak of eggs. 1 ostrich egg is equivalent to 24 chicken eggs and takes about 2 hours to cook.
These African Animals Have Made a Lasting HistoryThe largest egg laid by any living bird is that of the North African ostrich. The egg is 6 to 8 inches long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter. It is a fact that the ostrich does not bury its head in the sand when frightened or looking for water, which is supported by an 8-year history of around 200,000 ostriches, suggesting that no ostrich has its head in the sand.
5. Sitatunga
The Sitatunga are species of African antelope, they are very good swimmers and are able to roost underwater for camouflage. They give birth to their young on a dry, trampled mat in the swamp, where they lie hidden for a month, receiving only brief sucking visits from their mother when they return from foraging.
6. Galagos
This animal is probably the most numerous primate among animals of Africa. They usually feed at night and prefer to sleep during the day. They hunt for speed rather than stealth and love their urine, which they use to leave their scent on trees and mark their territory, which they follow night after night. The males also find it “comfortable” to urinate on the females – to mark them of course. Galagos are a group of animals of Africa that usually father twin children.
7. Hippopotamus
Among the animals of Africa, the African hippopotamus is the deadliest to humans, killing more humans than any other African animal every year. They have been known to indulge in water birth and are among the few animals to give birth underwater long before humans had the idea. They spend a significant portion of their lives in the water and, although too heavy to swim, typically navigate the river bed. If you try to use their size and sluggish physical attributes to get close, think again, as they can outrun humans, reach speeds of 30 miles per hour, and their powerful bites can cut a crocodile in half share.
8. Catnip
African animals belonging to the big catFamily members, especially lions and tigers, have been known to be affected by catnip like other domestic cats. Catnip is the common name for an herb in the mint family. The right cat can have a weird and amazing reaction, often with the cat rubbing, licking, eating, kicking, rolling and going mad. Think of it as the cat that has an ecstatic drug. Eventually, the cat loses interest and decides to walk, but returns 2 hours late to get the same effects.
9. Giraffes
Giraffes are animals found naturally in Africa whose tongue is 18 to 21 inches long on average so it can clean its ear. These African animals love to eat acacia leaves, from which they usually get most of their water. However, you can drink up to 10 gallons of water every day. If you run a giraffe for a long time, it will suffer a heart attack and die due to its high blood pressure, which averages 280/180 mm Hg at rest. You can rest standing up and can only sleep 5 minutes at a time.
10. Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are human’s closest relatives and share more than 98% of the same genetic makeup as humans. You can learn to recognize yourself in the mirror and learn to use some basic human sign languages. You can also use rocks to break up tasty nuts and use leaves as sponges to soak up water. Chimpanzees can even use large sticks and twigs as rockets and clubs, or throw them at enemies like leopards and humans.