How many different species does South Africa have and why is this important?
South Africa is home to over 95 000 known species, contributing a significant proportion to world plant species (6%), reptile species (5%), bird species (8%) and mammal species (6%), with more species regularly discovered and described.
How many species of African animals are there?
Africa is a large continent that’s home to many amazing animal species, several of which live nowhere else. It’s host to 1,100 species of mammals and over 2,600 species of birds.
What is South Africa’s national flower?
king protea
The giant or king protea is widely distributed in the south-western and southern areas of the Western Cape, from the Cedarberg up to just east of Grahamstown. The artichoke-like appearance of the flower-heads of the king protea lead to the specific name ‘cynaroides’, which means ‘like cynara’ (the artichoke).
What animals are unique to South Africa?
The Most Amazing Animals in South Africa
- Lions. Lions are the quintessential African animal.
- Caracals. The tufty ears and sandy coat of the caracal makes it look like a small lynx.
- South African Penguins.
- Elephants.
- The Great White Shark.
What kind of animals are found in South Africa?
Several antelopes are found in different habitats. Species such as the gemsbok are found in arid areas, the black wildebeest (an endemic species) in grasslands, the Cape grysbok in fynbos, the impala in savanna and the klipspringer in rocky terrain.
Are there any endangered animals in South Africa?
There are several animal species that are among the world’s tallest, fastest or even tiniest animals such as the majestic giraffe, the speedy cheetah or the tiny pygmy shrew. Several animal species are endangered such as the African wild dogs, the oribi or the rhino which is hunted for its horn.
How many animals are in Kruger National Park?
Animals in Kruger National Park, South Africa. From the Big Five to the charismatic penguins, South Africa is home to a variety of wildlife. It has approximately 300 species of mammals and 850 species of birds.
How many amphibians are there in South Africa?
Amphibians in South Africa are represented by the frogs and toads (order Anura); the salamander and caecilian orders are absent. About 110 out of the 135 species of frog native to Southern Africa exist in South Africa, about 50% of them endemic.
How many species are found in South Africa?
Biodiversity In South Africa. An immensely rich species diversity is found in South Africa. With a land surface area of 1,1 million km2 – representing just 1% of the earth’s total land surface – South Africa contains almost 10% of the world’s total known bird, fish and plant species, and over 6% of the world’s mammal and reptile species.
Which is the national animal of South Africa?
The springbok antelope, Antidorcas marsupialis, is the national animal of South Africa This is a list of the mammal species recorded in South Africa. There are 299 mammal species in South Africa, of which two are critically endangered, eleven are endangered, fifteen are vulnerable, and thirteen are near threatened.
What kind of animals live in southern Africa?
There are seventeen species of golden mole, a family limited to southern Africa, five species of elephant shrew, many species of shrews, the southern African hedgehog, the aardvark, various hares and the critically endangered riverine rabbit.
In total 243 mammals are found in the region. There are 17 threatened species in South Africa, including the black rhino, pangolin and giant golden mole. The riverine rabbit, roan antelope and wild dog are endangered. Two mammals have become extinct: the blue antelope and the quagga.
