Africa includes a variety of environments, ranging from rainforests and forests to grasslands and deserts. It is home to numerous beautiful and deadly creatures of varying sizes, both day and night, and is the second-largest continent after Asia.

These include mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects, many of which are only found in Africa. It is a popular destination for both wildlife researchers and safari fans due to its richness. It is home to approximately 1,100 mammal species, as well as more than 60 carnivore species, 100,000 insect species, 3,000 freshwater fish species, and over 2,600 bird species. Its insect populations account for 15-20% of all insects on the planet.

Africa’s Official National Animals

Because Africa is made up of various countries, each with its own culture, language, and habitat, there are no official African animals that symbolize the whole continent. As a result, each country has its own official national animal, with some having more than one or sharing the same national animal as other countries. National animals are frequently classified by kind, especially if a country has more than one. For example, the Leopard is both Rwanda’s and Somalia’s official national animal (land mammal), whereas the American Fish Eagle is Namibia’s and Zambia’s national bird, and the Oryx is Namibia’s national animal. The Springbok is South Africa’s official national animal, the Blue Crane is its national bird, and the Galjoen is its national fish.

 

The Best Wildlife in Africa

The top wild African animals are those that people most frequently seek out on safaris, with many of them being African natives. These safari animals are held in national parks, game reserves, and other sanctuaries for both human safety and to prevent them from becoming extinct in Africa. The “Big Five,” which include the Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhinoceros, and Buffalo, are among the most well-known African creatures.

African Animals That Are the Most Dangerous Today

Land animals in Africa are popular safari attractions, but they are not always treated with caution and respect. Many deadly African animals, whether hostile or venomous, are among the most dangerous in the world after humans. Most deadly African creatures, fortunately, may be observed safely in national parks and wildlife reserves. The top ten most deadly African animals, as well as the expected number of human deaths each year, are as follows:

  • Mosquito: 1,000,000 fatalities from Malaria, Yellow Fever, Zeka Virus, West Nile Virus, and Dengue Fever.
  • Hippopotamus: Territorial mammal that may weigh up to 1,500kg, making it the third-largest animal after elephants and rhinos; 3,000 fatalities.
  • African Elephant: The largest land animal, weighing up to 7,000kg and unpredictable; tramples victims, killing 500 people.
  • Nile Crocodile: 300 fatalities due to aggressive, deadly attacks.
  • The lion is an apex predator that kills locals in their daily lives or on the outskirts of wildlife reserves, resulting in 200 deaths.
  • Cape Buffalo: Fearless, violent, and unpredictable; will stalk and murder humans if left alone; tramples and gores victims to death; weights up to 1,000kg; 200 fatalities.
  • Rhinoceros: Weighs up to 2,800kg and is the second largest mammal after elephants; irritable and rushes at up to 64km/h with long, pointed horns when threatened; unknown.
  • Puff Adder: Not the most poisonous snake, but it kills the most people owing to its vast habitat range, camouflage hues, and aggression; untreated bites kill 20% of people; unknown.
  • Black Mamba: Africa’s largest poisonous snake, reaching up to 2.5m; one of the world’s fastest snakes, running at 20km/h; very aggressive; one of the world’s most venomous snakes, with a 100% death rate for untreated bites; unknown.