Most BEAUTIFUL Animals of the Congo
From lions, leopards, and elephants … to deadly snakes and killer crocodiles … here are 18 animals of the Congo
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#7 Okapi (oh-kah-pee)
This beast was once known as the African Unicorn because its existence was thought to be a myth. It wasn’t formally recognized until 1901. But it’s understandable why scientists initially thought the creature was a legend. The Okapi looks like a mash up of a zebra and a giraffe. While it’s not related to zebras, it is the closest living relative to giraffes. The elongated neck and long black tongue are among the physical traits they share. The Okapi’s stripes and other coloration serves as camouflage within its forest habitat.
#6 Mandrill
These animals were once misidentified as baboons. In fact, they are Old World Monkeys that were given their own genus. Once seen, you can’t forget the mandrill’s vivid facial coloration. Even Charles Darwin once commented on how striking the Mandrill’s appearance is among mammals. Male specimens weighing as much as 130 pounds (60 kg) have been reported by Guinness. Wildlife experts say these are social animals that like to congregate in large numbers called ‘hordes’. One horde was estimated to contain more than 1,300 individuals, making it the largest grouping of nonhuman primates ever documented!
#5 African Manatee
We mentioned elephants earlier in the list. Did you know that these animals are among the closest living relatives of those beasts? Experts say that manatees evolved from a common terrestrial mammal about 60 million years ago. Manatees can be found in rivers, lakes, or oceans and can weigh upwards of 800 pounds (360 kg). You wouldn’t expect this big, bulky beast to move fast, and they don’t. The fastest they can normally swim is about 5 miles per hour (8 km/h). But if a predator is chasing them, manatees can ramp it up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h).
#4 Hyraxes
This critter has something in common with the aforementioned manatee. We’ll tell you about that in a moment. Hyraxes are small, thickset mammals that have a superficial resemblance to rodents, but the animals are unrelated. Five species are found throughout Africa, where they often prefer rocky terrain. They have padded feet with sweat glands that help them negotiate steep cliffs and outcroppings. The largest species can measure about 28 inches long (70 cm) and weigh around 11 pounds (5 kg). So what do they have in common with manatees? They’re both closely related to elephants. Although given the small size of Hyraxes that’s hard to believe
#3 Black Mamba
One of the world’s most feared and venomous snakes resides in the Congo. This elapid (el-uh-pid) can reach lengths of between 10 to 15 feet (3 m to 4.5 m) and can live in the trees or on the ground. Its name is a reference to the snake’s inky black mouth which it opens as a threat display. It’s best to heed the warning. This critter can repeatedly strike from long distances with venom that produces fatal symptoms within minutes.
#2 Spotted Hyena
Have you ever heard of the Laughing Hyena? That refers to this creature, which makes vocalizations that can sound like maniacal human laughter. These are animal icons of Africa, and are known for exhibiting complex social behaviors. Some experts say that among carnivores their social organization is closer to that of certain Old World primates. They have a long association with humans, with depictions of the animals showing up in cave paintings from the Upper Paleolithic period. They’re actually shy in the presence of humans, and will often run off should it detect someone as far away as 300 meters (984 feet). It’s just as well because spotted hyenas have a bone-crushing bite that’s more powerful than that of a brown bear!
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