Western Lowland Gorilla
Central Africa
Western lowland gorillas inhabit the vast tropical and subtropical forests of Central Africa. Gorillas are herbivorous, feeding on fruit, shoots, bulbs, leaves and occasionally tree bark. They live in family groups that are led by one dominant male, called the silverback because of the silver hair that runs down his back.
Giraffe
Southern Africa
Giraffes are native to the open savannahs and wooded grasslands of eastern and southern Africa, where acacia trees and shrubs are plentiful. Their long necks are an adaptation to facilitate feeding on foliage beyond the reach of other hoofed animals, which may explain their plentiful distribution. Like a fingerprint, the markings of a giraffe’s coat are unique to each individual. Habitat destruction continues to threaten their future.
Burchell's Zebra
Eastern Africa
Also known as plain zebras, Burchell’s zebras are the most abundant of the three zebra species and live in the savannahs of Eastern Africa. They usually travel in herds, but disperse during the day to graze alone on coarse grasses, gathering later to find water. No two zebras look exactly alike, as stripes vary between individuals. Living in permanent small family groups, Burchell’s zebras commonly mix herds with antelope, adding extra protection against predators. These equines are threatened by habitat loss.
Hippopotamus
Africa
The hippopotamus, also known as the “river horse,” lives along the rivers and lakes throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Weighing up to 8,000 pounds, the hippo is the heaviest land animal after the elephant. Hippos seek refuge from the heat by living in water during the day, and at night they come ashore to feed on short, soft grasses and fallen fruit. The eyes and ears of a hippopotamus are on top of its head, so it can keep watch for enemies—mainly crocodiles—while lying low in the water. These giants are currently at risk from habitat loss.
Leopard
Asia and Africa
Leopards inhabit the southern portions of Asia and much of Africa, and are found in a variety of habitats from forests to rocky hillsides. Surviving on a diet mainly of small mammals and birds, leopards are nocturnal and spend much of the day resting, well camouflaged among the trees. Though rarely seen, leopards are the most widespread member of the cat family, largely due to their highly adaptable hunting and feeding behavior. The greatest threats to this species are revenge killings for attacks on livestock and illegal hunting for their highly prized furs.
Lion
Africa
Lions inhabit the plains and savannahs throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa. These carnivores will eat most large ungulates, or hoofed species. African lions are the most social of all big cats and live together in groups or “prides.” Females do most of the hunting, and male lions defend the pride’s territory. While lions hunt in packs, individual lions perform the actual kill. Currently, these majestic cats are threatened by habitat loss.
Mandrills
Africa
Inhabiting the tropical rainforests and dense, secondary forests throughout central Africa, mandrills spend their days on the ground but sleep in trees. Omnivores, they dine on fruits, seeds, reptiles, amphibians, roots and invertebrates. Communication is complex among mandrills. Their bright coloring plays a key role in social behavior; blue on the rump and chest brightens when individuals are excited, and occasionally red spots appear on the ankles and wrists. During periods of low visibility in the forest, mandrills maintain contact through a series of low grunts. Mandrills are threatened by hunting and habitat loss.
African Wild Dog
Africa
African wild dogs live in widely distributed, fragmented populations throughout the grasslands, savannas and open woodlands of Africa. Versatile carnivores, African wild dogs feed on animals up to twice their size, and will sometimes take on larger prey, like wildebeests, that are sick or old. There is an intricate social structure within African wild dog packs. Wild dogs take care of one another, and food is shared with individuals that did not participate in the hunt. Currently, these predators face increasing threats posed by habitat loss and diseases from non-native species.
Meerkats
Africa
Meerkats dwell in the savannahs and grasslands of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Angola. Their diet consists of insects, but they will also eat small vertebrates, eggs and plants. Highly social, meerkats live in three-family groups, which may consist of as many as 30 individuals. Each family comprises a breeding pair and their offspring. Behavior within packs is very friendly, but can become aggressive and violent toward outsiders. Meerkats are at risk from habitat loss.
Chimpanzee
Africa
One of the most well known apes, the chimpanzee lives in the forests and savannahs of equatorial Africa. Highly intelligent, chimpanzees hunt cooperatively and use tools, such as branches and sticks, to forage for food. These omnivores survive on a diet of ripe fruits, young leaves, stems, roots, seeds, bark and insects. Once found in 25 African countries, chimpanzees are now extinct in three or four and are nearing extinction in others due to deforestation and commercial hunting for bush meat. All four subspecies of chimpanzee are endangered.