Nigerian Animals in the Safari
- Some of the world's most famous carnivores come from the savannas of Nigeria where people go on safaris. Among these creatures is perhaps the most well known of all carnivores, the African lion. As the largest member of the cat family, these felines are found in prides that are typically made of 10 to 40 lions. Other meat-eating mammals on the Nigerian savanna are the side-striped jackals, leopards and wild dogs. The fast and carnivorous cheetahs are also found here. This cat is the fastest mammal on land and can run faster than 60 mph.
- Along with meat-eaters, the Nigerian savanna is also home to many animals that eat its grasses. The types of herbivores you will find include the warthog, hippopotamus, rhinoceros and more than two dozen types of antelope. The massive African elephant is another creature found here. This mammal can grow to be as large as six tons. It spends up to 16 hours each day eating, and can consume between 4 and 7 percent of its body weight every day.
- Alongside the herbivores and carnivores are many varieties of birds. You'll find them the sky, in the water and in the grasses while on a safari in the Nigerian savanna. The Mackinnon's Shike, olive pigeon, Goliath heron, vulture, Kingfisher and Bateleur eagle are all common birds in this region. The saddleback stork is another bird found in Nigeria. This 5-foot-tall bird has a large red bill with a yellow plate and black band.
- Reptiles of many species and sizes call the Nigerian savanna home, including crocodiles, snakes and lizards. The Nile crocodile is one of they types of reptiles found here. It can grow to be 16 feet long and will eat anything that comes near the water, including fish, birds, buffalo and big cats. The black mamba snake is another Nigerian reptile. This snake, which can grow to be 14 feet long, is the most deadly in the world.