African Animal Facts for Children and Teachers

Some of the most famous animals in the world are found in Africa. Check out these fascinating African animal facts. 

What is the largest African animal?

The African elephant is the largest living land mammal. It can weigh more than 6 tonnes! Male elephants can be up to 3.4 m tall. Female elephants can be up to 2.6 m tall. Elephants are vulnerable to endangerment. 

African Elephants are the largest living land mammal in the wild

What is the largest African primate?

The Gorilla is the largest primate on Earth. Male Gorillas can weigh up to 195 kg. Female Gorillas can weigh up to 113 kg. Gorillas live in the forests of Sub-Saharan Africa. Gorillas are a critically endangered species.  

A family of African Silverback Gorillas in Rwanda

What is the largest African reptile?

The Nile crocodile is the largest reptile in Africa. They can be 5 metres long! Nile crocodiles have an extremely powerful bite. 

A Nile crocodile showing its teeth

What is the largest African amphibian?

The Goliath frog is the largest living frog on Earth. They can grow to be 32 cm long. They live in Africa in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. They are an endangered species. 

The Goliath Frog is the largest frog in the world and is found in Africa

What is the largest African bird?

The ostrich is the largest bird on Earth. Male ostriches grow to be 2.8 m tall. Female ostriches grow to be 2 m tall. They live in savannas in Africa. Ostriches are flightless birds and can run at speeds of 60 mph. 

Ostrich running through tall grass on a clear day

Colony of African penguins on a rocky beach in South Africa

What is the fastest African land animal? 

The fastest African land animal is the cheetah. Cheetah can run at speeds of between 70 mph and 75 mph. 

A cheetah and cubs in the Masai Mara, Kenya

What are the world's fastest land mammals?

1. Cheetah (70-75 mph)
2. Pronghorn (55 mph) Lives in North America 
3. Springbok (55 mph) 
4. Blue Wildebeest (50 mph)
5. Lion (50 mph)
6. Blackbuck (50 mph) Lives in India, Nepal and Pakistan
7. Hare (50 mph) Lives in Africa, Eurasia, North America and Japanese archipelago
8. Greyhound (46 mph) Originated in Europe
9. Jackrabbit (45 mph) Lives in western United States and Mexico
10. African wild dog (44 mph)

What is the 'Big Five' in Africa?

In Africa, the five animals tourists want to see the most on safari are called the Big Five. The big five African animals are the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo.

The phrase 'Big Five' was originally made by hunters as these animals are the hardest to hunt on foot.

 The Big Five African Animals