Why the Gemsbok is a Desert Deity
The gemsbok shrugs off a surprising amount of desert death.
Africa
The Cape Fox Isn’t As Sneaky As it Sounds
There’s nothing cloak and dagger about the Cape fox, but it did almost disappear.
The Black Mamba: Nature’s “Do Not Disturb” Sign
The black mamba will keep you away. By fair means or foul.
Is the Aardwolf as Hard as a Wolf?
The aardwolf is so not a wolf it doesn’t even howl or eat meat. Usually.
Yellow Mantella Wants to Set the Record Straight
The yellow mantella frog thinks humanity has got it all wrong.
Woolly Rhinoceros Got Left Out in the Cold
The woolly rhino is proof that a hairy coat, massive build, and impressive horns don’t make you invincible.
The Abdication of Simbakubwa
Fellow creatures of the Miocene. It is with great regret I announce my abdication from the role of “largest carnivorous …
The Summer Romance of a Leaf-cutter Bee
Wait! Before you spray me for slicing up your roses, there’s something you should know. I know the life of …
The Zanj Sun Squirrel, or “The Curse of the Awesomely-named African Mammal”
The Zanj sun squirrel sounds like something out of a fairy tale. And it might as well be, for all …
Streaking, Acrobatics, and Organised Debauchery: Just Another Day For a Striped Dolphin!
The grey bottlenose may steal the limelight, but the striped dolphin has some tricks and kinks of its own. In …
If the Rat-Tail Fish Can Survive Hell, It Can Survive the Unfortunate Name
It seems a bit unfair calling this a “rat-tail” fish when it clearly just has a thin, tapering tail. But …
Quedenfeldtia moerens. That’s My Name, Don’t Wear it Out!
Yes, like the decidedly less cute creatures on this list, the scorpion and spider, this little gecko doesn’t have a …
Why the Lionfish Can Be a Jerk
Its other names range from the cool ”fire fish” and “fan dancer” to the decidedly rubbish “turkeyfish”, but the PR’s …
The Hooded Vulture Thinks it’s People!
Someone has to do the dirty work. But you’re drinking coffee, so I’ll try to keep it clean. Fortunately, Africa’s …
The Way to a Gelada’s Heart is Through its Stomach
A grass diet would be awesome. You don’t need to cook it or catch it, there’s always enough for everyone, …
Don’t Worry, Furry Lobster Won’t Give You a Bear Hug
Bug + hair = worst possible combination in nature, but it’s not as horrifying as it sounds. We’re not talking about …
Sei Whale
Clocking 48kmh (30mph) or more is pretty impressive for the ninth largest living animal, and handy if some orcas come …
Okapi
The “African unicorn” can be as elusive as the myth. You would be too, if you lived in the real …
Masai Giraffe
The Masai giraffe is an understated badass. Almost everything it does is some sort of battle, but you’d never know …
Lightning Bird (Impundulu/Inyoni Yezulu)
Despite its alternative name “bird of the heavens”, the lightning bird is about as welcome as a billion volts through …
