For eons, Africa has been regarded as a rich land of magic, mystery and marvel. Countless of exploration through Africa hasn’t been enough to exhaust all the wonders in this cradle—not only of mankind but all kinds of life. From the northern sand dunes of the Sahara with its endless treasures, all the way to the fascinating South, with its vibrant culture and vast wildlife, Africa never fails to surprise!
Nature as a timeless and arcane essence shelters not just the common faces we are used to, but also eccentric and peculiar creatures which eludes even our wildest imaginations. The seekers and adventurers love to explore lands such as Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania, known for their rich wildlife, often in search of the Big Five—Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Leopard and Rhino. However, existing in subtle shadows of nature’s cover, there are other incredibly fascinating creatures, you’ve probably never heard of. Some are rare to see, but if you are eager enough, these marvelous beings won’t be just a picture in your mind for long.
Here are six of the most peculiar creatures often found in the Sub Saharan Africa;
1. Aardvark

Source: ipzoo.org

source: stock.adobe.com
Imagine a medium-sized animal with an enormous snout resembling that of a pig, with a height of about 0.6 meters at the shoulder, and a length of between 1-1.5 meters, with very sharp claws, and powerful legs that are not even—the hind legs being stronger.
Also known as the AntEater, the aardvark’s diet is largely comprised of ants and termites. Other than its powerful claws, it has another secret weapon — a 2-foot-long sticky tongue that has been known to cause havoc across the anthills of the African savannah—swallowing as many as 35000 insects in a day! It can dig as long as 1 meter in 15 seconds!
The aardvark is the only existing species among the order Tubulidentata. It is commonly found in Southern Africa. It is nocturnal and loves to establish its home inside burrows.
2. Bat-Eared Fox

bat eared fox at Maasai Mara Kenya

bat eared fox in african savannah
Did you hear that? They probably heard it! With ears up to five inches long, the Bat-Eared Fox can detect a faint sound of a beetle’s larvae hatching in a dung ball! These oversized bat-shaped ears make this fox a formidable hunter, but most importantly they act as a warning system against predators such as wild dogs, eagles and jackals. These foxes feed mainly on insects and dung beetles, comprising 80% of their diet.
One interesting fact about these creatures, is their social, almost human like, family-oriented system. In the Maasai Mara, a community of up to 70 foxes have been observed in as little as 1 square mile territory.
3. Okapi

source: istockphoto.com

source: stock.adobe.com
When the famous explorer, Henry Morton Stanly made a trip to the Congo Forest in the 19th century, he reported in his findings, of a donkey-like creature, an observation that later intrigued many scientists and explorers. Of course, the indigenous tribes living in the tropical forest at that time had already made an acquaintance of the animal, however its isolated nature deep in the tropical rainforests, gave it a mysterious impression, almost mythical, to the rest of the world.
What do you see? A giraffe? a zebra? a horse? a donkey like Mr Stanley? Well after keen investigations, biologists discovered that it was more identical to a giraffe and is regarded as the only existing relative of that long-necked browser.
Researchers at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Conservation revealed the existence of a secret language among the okapis—low frequency calls that are inaudible to the human ears, and the sound waves can only be seen through the use of specialized computerized software. The San Diego Zoo scientists upon close examination, went forth to explain that these secret codes are a message mechanism between an Okapi mother and baby, designed to keep them safe from…not hackers, but predators who may try to wire tap their communication lines.
4. Shoebill

source: thedodo.com

The shoebill stare
Hey who are you looking at? Talk of a savage stare, fiendish eyes and a monstrous beak, which rumors say of it being able to swallow its prey whole! and yes, it’s a fact — for many reptiles and fish at least. This enormous thin-legged wading bird, with an overall appearance resembling that of a stork, devours even crocs! —baby crocodiles that is. It’s a patient ambush master who loves to strike just in the right moment! And with the largest bird beak in the world, imagine how fatal the blow could be!
The Shoebill lays up to three eggs. Often, only one of the new-born birds live to experience adulthood, this is because of the sibling rivalry, which is frighteningly intense —This short video by BBC Earth clearly shows the extent of the savagery among the little shoebills;
The Dark Side of Shoebill Chicks- BBC Earth
Shoebills are commonly found in swamps and wetlands of Tropical East Africa.
5. Pangolin

source: savepangolins.com

source: thefunnybeaver.com
The fact that the pangolin is the most trafficked animal in the world, and the strange beliefs about its powers in the traditional medicine and witchcraft, gives it a curious element of mystery.
The pangolins are mammals, often thought of as reptiles. Their bodies are covered with as many as a thousand scales—one may think of it as a moving pinecone, with blood and feelings!
They are mostly ant eaters, but have no teeth. How do they chew then? Pangolins have a gizzard -like stomach which plus small stones and sand that it swallows, aids in food grinding and digestion. They have a sticky tongue that can grow as long as their bodies. They have no external ears.
There are eight known species of the ancient Pangolin family. Four of which are found in Asia, and four occur across different parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
6. Elephant Shrew

source: a-z-animals.com

source: stock.adobe.com
These creatures as tiny as mice are indeed elephants—well I mean recent scientific discoveries reveal that they are more related to a species of mammals that comprise of elephants and aardvarks—they are not rodents. They have an elongated trunk-like nose which serves as an important sensory equipment, navigating their environment with ease and accuracy and for detecting preys. They are incredibly fast and can reach a speed of up to 20 miles per hour, helping them escape from predators.
They give birth three to five times within a year. Their diet consists mainly of small insects, such as spiders, beetles and termites.
They are also referred to as Sengis. They are commonly found in different types of habitats across Southern Africa.
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