FLORA AND FAUNA OF AFRICA: MOST REPRESENTATIVE SPECIES - BIOLOGY - 2025

The flora and fauna of Africa include about 10% of the world's known plant, bird and fish species. There are also 6% of the species of mammals and reptiles on the entire planet.

In Africa there are numerous ecosystems. The climate can largely be considered tropical, but climatic conditions vary in each region and country.

Baobab

The seasons are divided into dry and wet. In this region they are found from mountain areas to the tropical jungle, the savannah and the desert.

The 5 main representatives of the flora of Africa

1- Hydnora africana

It is a native plant of southern Africa. It grows underground except for a fleshy flower that emerges from the ground.

When the flower matures, it opens into three or four red lobes. These have villi on the edges, which give them an exotic appearance similar to carnivorous plants.

The hydnora africana emits a putrid smell to attract beetles and insects that will be responsible for pollinating it.

2- Baobab

There are 7 species of this tree on the African continent. Of these 7 species, 6 grow on the island of Madagascar and 1 on the mainland.

It is a tree with a huge trunk, irregular and full of knots. Its height varies between 5 and 30 meters.

The diameter of the cup exceeds 11 meters. The leaves only sprout in the rainy season.

3- African violet

They are native to Tanzania and Kenya, countries on the African continent. They are plants that are usually 6 to 15 cm high and 6 to 30 cm wide.

The leaves are oval or round. The flowers have 5 petals 2 to 3 cm in diameter. The color of the flower can be violet, light blue, purple, or white. They have been adopted and cultivated in many parts of the world.

4- Protea king

This plant is a shrub with thick stems and large glossy dark green leaves. The flower of this plant is known as the national flower of the country of South Africa.

The main use of this plant is for decoration, due to the large size of the flower head and the long life that it can maintain once cut from the plant.

5- Spiral Aloe

It is a species of succulent plant native to the south of the African continent. It grows only between 2000 and 2500 meters above sea level.

It has fleshy leaves that are arranged in a spiral shape and it has no stem. They are very difficult to grow and are in danger of extinction.

The 5 main representatives of the fauna of Africa

1- Leon

It usually lives in savannas and grasslands. A pride of lions consists of females, their young, and a small number of adult males.

It is a vulnerable species and over the last decades it has suffered a decline in its populations.

The characteristic of males is their mane, which forms one of the best-known animal symbols in the world.

2- Elephant

Elephants are the largest land animals in existence. Their trunk is characteristic.

A wide variety of behaviors related to intelligence are attributed to him, such as grief, play, compassion and self-recognition.

3- Kaffir buffalo

The buffalo lives in the forests and savannas of the continent and can weigh up to 1000 kg. It has horns that are thick, highly developed, and curve upward at the ends.

Their fur is dark brown or black. They lack predators except the lion and the Nile crocodile.

4- Leopard

It is present in forests and jungles, savannas, fields and rocky places.

It adapts to all habitats except the desert, as long as it has a place to hide and there is enough prey to survive.

It has a solid silhouette, its tail is thin and long, and its head is round. It has strong legs and all of its claws are retractable.

5- Rhinoceros

Rhinos are large in size and can weigh over a ton. They are herbivores, generally feeding on leaves.

Their horns on the snout are characteristic, the main reason for their hunting. Rhinos have a keen sense of smell and hearing, but very poor eyesight.

References

1. Climate of Africa. (sf). Obtained from Africa: africa.com.es
2. Fauna Africa. (sf). Obtained from International Education: lae-edu.com
3. Flora of Africa. (sf). Obtained from africa.com.es
4. Flora and fauna of Africa. (sf). Obtained from Africa: africa.com.es
5. Nature Africa - The flora and fauna of Africa. (sf). Obtained from South Coast: africa.costasur.com