What are the endemic animals of South Africa?
South Africa is home to several endemic species: the Cape grysbok, the bushman hare, the Cape genette, the golden mole, the elephant shrew, the spectacled dormouse, as well as around fifty endemic bird species including the African penguin and the sugarbird.
Remarkable endemic mammals
- Cape grysbok : small antelope typical of the Cape region
- Bushman's hare : lagomorph adapted to semi-arid environments
- Cape genette : small nocturnal carnivore
- Golden mole : burrowing mammal with characteristic golden fur
- Shrew with trunk : small insectivore with elongated snout
- Spectacled dormouse : small arboreal rodent
Exceptional endemic avifauna
South Africa is home to nearly 900 bird species, of which around fifty are endemic. Among the most emblematic :
- Cape penguin : only penguin species in Africa
- Cape gannets : large marine fishing birds
- Sugarbird : passerine specialized in protea nectar
- Rockjumper : bird of rocky mountainous areas
- Orange-breasted sunbird : small colorful nectarivorous bird
Beyond endemism
The country remains famous for its emblematic wildlife : the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros), whale migrations, zebras, giraffes, hippopotamuses and antelopes that make the wealth of South African safaris.