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MAMMALS

Mammals are vertebrate animals and characterized by the presence of milk-producing mammary glands for feeding their young, a neocortex region of the brain, fur or hair and three middle ear bones.

MAMMALIA

latin name

310+

species in South Africa

6.400

species worldwide

3

critically endangered

15

endangered

18

vulnerable

20

near threatened

256

least concern

When you think of South Africa, you automatically think of safari, big game and the Big 5. And you are rightfully so. One of the major contributor to this thought is the world famous Kruger National Park. But South Africa has many more parks and reserves that show its amazing variety of mammals. There are over 310 different mammal species and all the major groups – carnivores, bats, ungulates, primates, rodents, etc. – are represented.

One of the better known mammals are the Big 5. These are at the top of every safari list. The 5 mammals in question are the Lion, Leopard, Savanna Elephant, Rhino (White or Black) and the African Buffalo. This group name was given because these mammals were the most difficult and dangerous to hunt. Nowadays these five are honored by appearing on South Africa’s currency.

Another spectacular group of mammals are the carnivores. We are talking about cats, dogs, mongooses, hyaenas, otters, weasels, seals and genets. Over 40 different species inhabit this group. From the mighty Lions, fast Cheetahs and elusive Leopards, to the iconic Spotted Hyena and the most successful hunters: the colorful African Wild Dogs (85% hunting success) and the Black-footed Cat (60% hunting success).

Most likely you will see hooved animals, ungulates. There are some 100 different species of hooved mammals (land based) in South Africa. Many of these species appear in large numbers and are therefore easily seen. The iconic Southern Giraffe, Common Warthog, Common Wildebeest, Rhino (Black and White), Plains Zebra and Impala are a few to name. Some of the ungulates come in beautiful colors, large and small sizes and can have spectacular horns.

The land is not the only place to look for mammals. The surrounding oceans are full of whales, dolphins and seals. Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales are the main whale species you will find here. The Southern Right Whales are best sighted in the Western Cape, whereas the Humpback Whale is best observed on the Wild Coast. The winter months provide the best opportunity for whale watching.

Browse through some of the species you can find South Africa:

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Common Minke Whale

Balaenoptera acutorostrata

Megaptera novaeangliae

Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Alcelaphus buselaphus ssp lichtensteinii

Lichtenstein's Hartebeest

Alcelaphus buselaphus ssp lichtensteinii

Hippotragus equinus

Roan Antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Oryx gazella

Gemsbok

Oryx gazella

Raphicerus campestris

Steenbok

Raphicerus campestris

Tragelaphus oryx ssp oryx

Cape Eland

Tragelaphus oryx ssp oryx

Cephalorhynchus heavisidii

Heaviside's Dolphin

Cephalorhynchus heavisidii

Balaenoptera bonaerensis

Antarctic Minke Whale

Balaenoptera bonaerensis

Aepyceros melampus

Impala

Aepyceros melampus

Antidorcas marsupialis

Springbok

Antidorcas marsupialis

Hippotragus niger

Sable Antelope

Hippotragus niger

Pelea capreolus

Grey Rhebok

Pelea capreolus

Raphicerus sharpei

Sharpe's Grysbok

Raphicerus sharpei

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

Greater Kudu

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

Delphinus delphis

Common Dolphin

Delphinus delphis

Balaenoptera brydei

Bryde's Whale

Balaenoptera brydei

Alcelaphus buselaphus ssp caama

Red Hartebeest

Alcelaphus buselaphus ssp caama

Connochaetes gnou

Black Wildebeest

Connochaetes gnou

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

Waterbuck

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

Philantomba monticola

Blue Duiker

Philantomba monticola

Tragelaphus angasii

Nyala

Tragelaphus angasii

Tragelaphus sylvaticus ssp sylvaticus

Cape Bushbuck

Tragelaphus sylvaticus ssp sylvaticus

Orcinus orca

Orca

Orcinus orca

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