Discover South Africa's wildlife: with species as varied as the land they inhabit
Fauna
Being one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, South Africa is the perfect location for wildlife enthusiasts. Most travelers to South Africa will have safari and mammals on the top of their travel list but other groups of animals are worth noticing on their own.
We understand that safari and mammals are on the top of your list, and rightfully so. One of the major contributor to this thought is the world famous Kruger National Park. Today, there are over 310 different mammal species in South Africa and all the major groups – carnivores, bats, ungulates, primates, rodents, etc. – are represented.
On land, the big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Savanna Elephant, Rhino (White or Black) and African Buffalo) are the absolute stars, and together with carnivores like cats, dogs, hyaena’s and hooved mammals like antelope, giraffe and zebra, mammals are a huge part of your safari experience. But the land is not the only place to look for mammals. The surrounding oceans are full of whales, dolphins and seals and in the right season, you can experience these mammals from land or sea.
With over 830 species, South Africa is home to about 8% of all bird species in the world. One of the reasons for this diversity is due to the different habitats in the country. They range from coastline, forest and desert to savanna, grasslands and mountains. Some of the wildest colors, biggest sizes and most beautiful birds can be found here.
Looking at the African continent, South Africa has the richest diversity of reptiles. Over 400 different species of snakes, lizards, crocodile, turtles, tortoises and chameleons live here. In fact, it has the highest diversity of tortoises in the world. You can find quite some adaptations among these reptiles enabling them to live in the extreme conditions of the dry Karoo, in the high Drakensberg mountains, the rocky coastlines or in urban environments.
With over 170 species of sharks and rays, the waters around South Africa are a global hotspot. This is about 30% of all species in the world. One contributor of this diversity is the presence of two oceans colliding off the coast of South Africa. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean and the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean both bring their own species of sharks and rays. In addition, the colliding of these two oceans create very nutrient rich waters that provide a wealth of marine life, on which the sharks and rays can feed.
But all of the numbers above are dwarfed by the Insects. They are the most diverse group within the animal kingdom. There is not an exact number on how many different species of insect there are worldwide, but estimates suggest that there are some 5 million different species in existence. Today, around 1 million species worldwide have been recorded and described.
For South African insect species, it is also not clear on how many there are. Around 44.000 species have been identified. To put this number in perspective, there are around 65.000 different animal species described in South Africa. About 70% of all known animal species in South Africa are insects.
The many national parks, game and nature reserves offer excellent venues to experience this richness in biodiversity. Larger mammals need this space to roam and life in (relative) natural balance. Birds also thrive in these areas, because these areas preserve specific habitats. But smaller mammals, many bird species and insects can also be spotted in your own back yard or the neighborhood park. You just need to look around.
