Common Name(s):Welwitschia, Tumboa, N'tumbo (local names), Living Fossil Scientific Name:Welwitschia mirabilis Plant Type:Gymnosperm (woody perennial, often described as a "living fossil") Family:Welwitschiaceae Origin and Endemism:100 % endemic to the Namib…
Common Name(s): Baobab, African Baobab, Upside-Down Tree, Tree of Life, Cream of Tartar Tree, Monkey Bread Tree Scientific Name: Adansonia digitata Plant Type: Deciduous tree (pachycaul succulent) Family: Malvaceae Origin…
Common Name(s):Secretary Bird, Serpent Eagle Scientific Name:Sagittarius serpentarius Type:Bird – Raptor (Sagittariidae family) – Carnivore Origin and Distribution:Native exclusively to sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Sudan south to South Africa.…
Common Name(s):African Wild Dog, Painted Wolf, African Painted Dog Scientific Name:Lycaon pictus Type:Mammal – Carnivore (Canidae family) Origin and Distribution:Native to sub-Saharan Africa; once widespread, now fragmented across East and…
Common Name(s):Aardvark, Antbear, Earth Pig Scientific Name:Orycteropus afer Type:Mammal – Tubulidentata order – Insectivore Origin and Distribution:Native exclusively to sub-Saharan Africa, from South Africa north to Sudan and Ethiopia. Found…
Common Name(s):Spiral Aloe, Khoare, Letsetse (Sotho name) Scientific Name:Aloe polyphylla Plant Type:Stemless succulent perennial Family:Asphodelaceae Origin and Endemism:100 % endemic to the Kingdom of Lesotho (and a tiny adjacent area…
Common Name(s):Bush Viper, Variable Bush Viper, Spiny Bush Viper, African Bush Viper Scientific Name:Atheris squamigera (Variable Bush Viper – the most colorful and widespread species) Type:Reptile – Viper (Viperidae family)…
Common Name(s):Giraffe, Tower (group name) Scientific Name:Giraffa camelopardalis (with 4 distinct species recognized: Masai, Northern, Southern, Reticulated) Type:Mammal – Even-toed ungulate (Artiodactyla) – Herbivore (browser) Origin and Distribution:Native exclusively to…
Common Name(s):African Elephant, Savanna Elephant, Bush Elephant Scientific Name:Loxodonta africana Type:Mammal – Proboscidean (Proboscidea order) – Herbivore Origin and Distribution:Native exclusively to sub-Saharan Africa. Populations in 37 countries, with the…
Common Name(s):Lilac-Breasted Roller, Fork-Tailed Roller, Mosilikatze's Roller Scientific Name:Coracias caudatus Type:Bird – Roller (Coraciidae family) – Carnivore (insectivore/small vertebrates) Origin and Distribution:Native to sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Ethiopia south…