The fauna of Africa - antiquity, uniqueness, beauty

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Africa - an extraordinary continent that contains a large number of secrets and mysteries of nature.The peculiarity of customs and mores, bright exotic, primitive, untouched by human hand nature - that's what makes travelers from around the world visit this multifaceted continent.Its culture - one of the oldest on the planet, and an indescribable richness of flora and fauna edge of the savannah and deserts will not leave anyone indifferent.

What he fauna of Africa?Do not hesitate, it is diverse and full of wonders as the continent itself.A large part of Africa is covered by steppes and savannas, grassy vegetation that serves as food for numerous herds of various ungulate fauna.Among them you will not find the usual sheep, goats and deer.From bulls found only African buffalo.But here you can see many different species of antelope.Dwarf representatives reach only 25 cm and weigh no more than 5 kg and large wildebeest can be the size of a horse.

Most antelope inhabits savannas and steppes, some - in the jungle and desert expanses of the Sahara.In the savannas of Africa can see zebras and wild donkeys.Often domesticate zebra and they replaced horses as they are not susceptible to the poisonous bite of the tsetse fly.

Africa - the birthplace of the giraffe, the highest of the animal on the planet.His long legs and neck allow it to get food from the tallest trees, the tops of which are inaccessible other African inhabitants.Currently giraffes are preserved only in national parks.

also the fauna of Africa is represented by two species of rhino: white and black, bush pigs and warthogs.

African animals unique.Nowhere else you will not see the hippos, which are among the most ancient inhabitants of the continent.There are two kinds of hippos.The Nile River inhabits a large hippopotamus or hippo, weighing three tons, and in the tropical forests - his diminutive congener, pygmy hippopotamus.It weighs no more than five hundred kilograms.

World of Animals in Africa - is not only a great many ungulates and large carnivorous predators.First of all, pay attention to the majestic king of beasts - the lion.They live in prides, which account for a couple of males and several females with cubs.Engaged in hunting lions, but lions lying on the honorable mission of procreation, protection of offspring from many predators, as well as the maintenance of order in the pride.

second largest member of the family cat - a leopard.Its habitat - not just savannah, but in the dense tropical forests.

Another African predator - the cheetah, the record for speed of all mammals on the planet.It can reach speeds of up to 100 km / h.

Greyhounds are also in the fauna of Africa.It is several kinds of foxes, hyenas and jackals.Of particular note is the desert fox Fenech.

In Africa, a lot of different rodents - mice, rats, gerbils, African dormice.The larger rodent - a porcupine.On the continent, you can also find hedgehogs, shrews, Cape hare, European hare-like, prygunchikov and shrews.

Fauna of Africa includes an original group of animals who by their appearance are similar to rodents, but in a close evolutionary relationships are with the elephants, sea cows and ungulates.This so-called woman.

On the mainland, inhabited by African elephants - the most massive of all land mammals on the planet.They live, as a rule, in the steppes and forests.Unlike its cousins ​​- Indian elephants, they practically do not give in to training, so they are rarely seen in the circus or the zoo.Ever since ancient times, they consume because of the tusks, so many of the areas they simply disappeared.

Throughout the widespread African primates sorts: monkeys, macaques, loris and apes: gorillas, bonobos and chimpanzees.If you believe the scientists, the latter are in the closest relationship with a man.

the coast of Africa, home to manatees, which are river mouths go inland, sea cows and dugongs of the order Sirenia.In the thickets of river turtles and crocodiles are found.

Whatever the desert may seem lifeless and Africa, it is obvious just how amazing and diverse its inhabitants.Peering more closely to this amazing continent, you will realize that this is a unique area of ​​untouched and unique wildlife.