Wildlife of Kenya
Encyclopedia
The wildlife of Kenya
refers to its flora
and fauna
.
It is not confined to the parks, pens, and reserves, although there is normally more abundance in such areas. There are many safaris held in Kenya, mostly in the reserves, although a visitor should see much wildlife outside of the pens.
: The largest of the antelope in the savannah, weighing about 600 kilograms. They can be found all over Kenya
, in places such as Nairobi National Park
, Mt Kenya, Kora National Park
, and Meru National Park
.
Wildebeest
: Share grazing with zebra and stay in groups. They can be found in places like Nairobi National Park
and Kora National Park
Cape Buffalo: Also known as the African Buffalo are known to be the most dangerous animal in Africa. They can be found at Nairobi National Park
, Mt Kenya, Meru National Park
, and Kora National Park
Rhinoceros
: Most are being relocated to safe places because of their endangerment, but there are still many wild rhino roaming Kenya. Although there are few places for visitors to see them, you are sure to find them at Nairobi National Park
.
Elephant
: Found in many different habitats in Kenya. They can be found from the hot coastlands to the cool moorlands of the Aberdares and Mt Kenya range. A few of these places are Mt Kenya, Meru National Park
, Kora National Park
, and Amboseli National Park.
Giraffe
: Have little competition for the tender leaves of the acacia tree, their principal food.
: Irritable and normally cranky, are very dangerous. They are found in many of Kenya's basins, swamps, and areas with water. Some other places to find them are Nairobi National Park
, Meru National Park
, and Kora National Park
.
: A small antelope similar to the orbi and duiker. They travel in groups of two or alone. They can be found in different areas in Kenya, including Mt Kenya.
Oribi
: They travel alone or in groups of two or three. They are similar to the suni and the duiker.
Duiker
: Normally travel alone but sometimes go in pairs. They are similar to the suni and orbi.
: A powerful predator who uses its power to its advantage. It can be found all over Kenya, and in places such as Nairobi National Park
, Mt Kenya, and Kora National Park
Leopard
: Another predator who, like the lion, has much brute force and uses it. They hunt at night and use their excellent eyesight to spot and kill their prey. They can be found at Nairobi National Park
, Mt Kenya, Meru National Park
, Kora National Park
, and over almost all of Kenya.
Cheetah
: A predator who hunts in the day time and its most powerful weapon is its speed. They live in places like Nairobi National Park
, Meru National Park
, and Kora National Park
.
Wild Dog
: Are predators that roam over parts of Kenya. The African Wild Dog Conservancy
is actively engaged in helping to save this endangered species from extinction.
Hyena
: A powerful predator that sometimes travel in groups. They have the strongest jaw pressure and most powerful bite out of any animal in the world. Both the spotted and striped variety of Hyena can be found at Nairobi National Park
, Mt Kenya, and Kora National Park
.
Serval cat
: One of the smaller predators in Kenya.
Genet
: A small cat-like predator that lives in Kenya.
Jackal
: A small dog-like predator that travel in small groups across Kenya.
: A large reptile that is powerful and has been known to attack and kill people. They are found in many areas of Kenya.
Information about wildlife animals in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
refers to its flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
and fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
.
It is not confined to the parks, pens, and reserves, although there is normally more abundance in such areas. There are many safaris held in Kenya, mostly in the reserves, although a visitor should see much wildlife outside of the pens.
Large plains herbivores
ElandCommon Eland
The common eland , also known as the southern eland or eland antelope, is a savannah and plains antelope found in East and Southern Africa. It is the largest antelope in the African continent...
: The largest of the antelope in the savannah, weighing about 600 kilograms. They can be found all over Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, in places such as Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first. It is located approximately 7 kilometres south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, with only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi's skyscrapers...
, Mt Kenya, Kora National Park
Kora National Park
Kora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
, and Meru National Park
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is a Kenyan Game park located east of Meru, 350 km from Nairobi. Covering an area of 870 km², it is one of the most famous known parks of Kenya. It has abundant rainfall, 635–762 mm in the west of the park and 305–356 mm in the east. The rainfall results in...
.
Wildebeest
Wildebeest
The wildebeest , also called the gnu is an antelope of the genus Connochaetes. It is a hooved mammal...
: Share grazing with zebra and stay in groups. They can be found in places like Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first. It is located approximately 7 kilometres south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, with only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi's skyscrapers...
and Kora National Park
Kora National Park
Kora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
Cape Buffalo: Also known as the African Buffalo are known to be the most dangerous animal in Africa. They can be found at Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first. It is located approximately 7 kilometres south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, with only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi's skyscrapers...
, Mt Kenya, Meru National Park
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is a Kenyan Game park located east of Meru, 350 km from Nairobi. Covering an area of 870 km², it is one of the most famous known parks of Kenya. It has abundant rainfall, 635–762 mm in the west of the park and 305–356 mm in the east. The rainfall results in...
, and Kora National Park
Kora National Park
Kora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros , also known as rhino, is a group of five extant species of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of these species are native to Africa and three to southern Asia....
: Most are being relocated to safe places because of their endangerment, but there are still many wild rhino roaming Kenya. Although there are few places for visitors to see them, you are sure to find them at Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first. It is located approximately 7 kilometres south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, with only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi's skyscrapers...
.
Elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
: Found in many different habitats in Kenya. They can be found from the hot coastlands to the cool moorlands of the Aberdares and Mt Kenya range. A few of these places are Mt Kenya, Meru National Park
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is a Kenyan Game park located east of Meru, 350 km from Nairobi. Covering an area of 870 km², it is one of the most famous known parks of Kenya. It has abundant rainfall, 635–762 mm in the west of the park and 305–356 mm in the east. The rainfall results in...
, Kora National Park
Kora National Park
Kora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
, and Amboseli National Park.
Giraffe
Giraffe
The giraffe is an African even-toed ungulate mammal, the tallest of all extant land-living animal species, and the largest ruminant...
: Have little competition for the tender leaves of the acacia tree, their principal food.
Aquatic herbivores
HippoHippopotamus
The hippopotamus , or hippo, from the ancient Greek for "river horse" , is a large, mostly herbivorous mammal in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of only two extant species in the family Hippopotamidae After the elephant and rhinoceros, the hippopotamus is the third largest land mammal and the heaviest...
: Irritable and normally cranky, are very dangerous. They are found in many of Kenya's basins, swamps, and areas with water. Some other places to find them are Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first. It is located approximately 7 kilometres south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, with only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi's skyscrapers...
, Meru National Park
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is a Kenyan Game park located east of Meru, 350 km from Nairobi. Covering an area of 870 km², it is one of the most famous known parks of Kenya. It has abundant rainfall, 635–762 mm in the west of the park and 305–356 mm in the east. The rainfall results in...
, and Kora National Park
Kora National Park
Kora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
.
Small herbivores
SuniSuni
Suni is a very small species of antelope. It occurs in south-east Africa in dense underbrush.Suni are around 12-17 inches high at the shoulder and weigh 10-12 pounds . They are usually reddish brown, darker on their back than their sides and legs. The belly, chin, throat and insides of legs are...
: A small antelope similar to the orbi and duiker. They travel in groups of two or alone. They can be found in different areas in Kenya, including Mt Kenya.
Oribi
Oribi
Oribi are graceful slender-legged, long-necked small antelope found in grassland almost throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.-Description:...
: They travel alone or in groups of two or three. They are similar to the suni and the duiker.
Duiker
Duiker
A duiker is any of about 21 small to medium-sized antelope species from the subfamily Cephalophinae native to Sub-Saharan Africa.Duikers are shy and elusive creatures with a fondness for dense cover; most are forest dwellers and even the species living in more open areas are quick to disappear...
: Normally travel alone but sometimes go in pairs. They are similar to the suni and orbi.
Predators
LionLion
The lion is one of the four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg in weight, it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger...
: A powerful predator who uses its power to its advantage. It can be found all over Kenya, and in places such as Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first. It is located approximately 7 kilometres south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, with only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi's skyscrapers...
, Mt Kenya, and Kora National Park
Kora National Park
Kora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
Leopard
Leopard
The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
: Another predator who, like the lion, has much brute force and uses it. They hunt at night and use their excellent eyesight to spot and kill their prey. They can be found at Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first. It is located approximately 7 kilometres south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, with only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi's skyscrapers...
, Mt Kenya, Meru National Park
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is a Kenyan Game park located east of Meru, 350 km from Nairobi. Covering an area of 870 km², it is one of the most famous known parks of Kenya. It has abundant rainfall, 635–762 mm in the west of the park and 305–356 mm in the east. The rainfall results in...
, Kora National Park
Kora National Park
Kora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
, and over almost all of Kenya.
Cheetah
Cheetah
The cheetah is a large-sized feline inhabiting most of Africa and parts of the Middle East. The cheetah is the only extant member of the genus Acinonyx, most notable for modifications in the species' paws...
: A predator who hunts in the day time and its most powerful weapon is its speed. They live in places like Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first. It is located approximately 7 kilometres south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, with only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi's skyscrapers...
, Meru National Park
Meru National Park
Meru National Park is a Kenyan Game park located east of Meru, 350 km from Nairobi. Covering an area of 870 km², it is one of the most famous known parks of Kenya. It has abundant rainfall, 635–762 mm in the west of the park and 305–356 mm in the east. The rainfall results in...
, and Kora National Park
Kora National Park
Kora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
.
Wild Dog
African Wild Dog
Lycaon pictus is a large canid found only in Africa, especially in savannas and lightly wooded areas. It is variously called the African wild dog, African hunting dog, Cape hunting dog, painted dog, painted wolf, painted hunting dog, spotted dog, or ornate wolf...
: Are predators that roam over parts of Kenya. The African Wild Dog Conservancy
African Wild Dog Conservancy
The African Wild Dog Conservancy is a non-profit, 501, non-governmental organization, working with local communities, and national and international stakeholders, to conserve the African wild dog through scientific research and education....
is actively engaged in helping to save this endangered species from extinction.
Hyena
Hyena
Hyenas or Hyaenas are the animals of the family Hyaenidae of suborder feliforms of the Carnivora. It is the fourth smallest biological family in the Carnivora , and one of the smallest in the mammalia...
: A powerful predator that sometimes travel in groups. They have the strongest jaw pressure and most powerful bite out of any animal in the world. Both the spotted and striped variety of Hyena can be found at Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park
Nairobi National Park is a national park in Kenya. Established in 1946, the national park was Kenya's first. It is located approximately 7 kilometres south of the centre of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, with only a fence separating the park's wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi's skyscrapers...
, Mt Kenya, and Kora National Park
Kora National Park
Kora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
.
Serval cat
Serval
The serval , Leptailurus serval or Caracal serval, known in Afrikaans as Tierboskat, "tiger-forest-cat", is a medium-sized African wild cat. DNA studies have shown that the serval is closely related to the African golden cat and the caracal...
: One of the smaller predators in Kenya.
Genet
Genet
-Aircraft:*Armstrong Siddeley Genet, aircraft engine*Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major, aircraft engine-Animals and Plants:*Genet , a colony of plants, fungi or bacteria that come from a single genetic source....
: A small cat-like predator that lives in Kenya.
Jackal
Jackal
Although the word jackal has been historically used to refer to many small- to medium-sized species of the wolf genus of mammals, Canis, today it most properly and commonly refers to three species: the black-backed jackal and the side-striped jackal of sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal of...
: A small dog-like predator that travel in small groups across Kenya.
Reptiles
CrocodileNile crocodile
The Nile crocodile or Common crocodile is an African crocodile which is common in Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Gabon, South Africa, Malawi, Sudan, Botswana, and Cameroon...
: A large reptile that is powerful and has been known to attack and kill people. They are found in many areas of Kenya.
National Parks
- Mount KenyaMount KenyaMount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian , Nelion and Point Lenana . Mount Kenya is located in central Kenya, just south of the equator, around north-northeast of the capital Nairobi...
- Meru National ParkMeru National ParkMeru National Park is a Kenyan Game park located east of Meru, 350 km from Nairobi. Covering an area of 870 km², it is one of the most famous known parks of Kenya. It has abundant rainfall, 635–762 mm in the west of the park and 305–356 mm in the east. The rainfall results in...
- Kora National ParkKora National ParkKora National Park is located in Coast Province, Kenya. The park covers an area of 1,788 square kilometres. It is located 125 kilometres east of Mount Kenya. The park was initially gazetted as a nature reserve in 1973...
- Masai MaraMasai MaraThe Maasai Mara National Reserve is a large game reserve in south-western Kenya, which is effectively the northern continuation of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania...
- Sibiloi National ParkSibiloi National ParkSibiloi National Park lies on the northeastern shore of Lake Turkana in northern Kenya. Established in 1973 by the government of Kenya for the protection of wildlife and palaeontological sites there, it covers 1570 km² and is internationally known for its fossils...
- Amboseli National Park
External links
Information about wildlife animals in Kenya