Secretary Bird: The Long-Legged “Snake Killer” That Stomps Prey to Death

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.…

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Aardvark: The Nocturnal “Earth Pig” That Eats 50,000 Termites a Night

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…

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African Bush Viper: The Dragon-Like Snake with Scales That Look Like Dragon Armor

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)…

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Giraffe: The Tallest Animal on Earth That Sees the World from 5.5 Meters Up

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…

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African Elephant: The Gentle Giant That Communicates in Rumbles You Can Feel in Your Feet

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…

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Lilac-Breasted Roller: Africa’s Rainbow Bird and National Symbol of Botswana

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…

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Meerkat: The Sentinels of the Desert That Stand Guard Like Tiny Soldiers

Common Name(s):Meerkat, Suricate Scientific Name:Suricata suricatta Type:Mammal – Carnivore (Herpestidae family) – Insectivore/omnivore Origin and Distribution:Native to southern Africa, primarily the arid regions of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and southern…

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Marula: Africa’s Vitamin C Powerhouse and the Tree Behind Amarula Liqueur

Common Name(s): Marula, Jelly Plum, Elephant Tree, Cider Tree, Morula (in some languages) Scientific Name: Sclerocarya birrea Plant Type: Deciduous tree Family: Anacardiaceae (cashew family) Origin and Endemism: Native to…

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