10 Fun Facts About Kenyan Animals

Today, we are exploring another African country — Kenya! Featuring a range of biomes and habitats — including mountain forests, grasslands, scrublands and woodlands — Kenya is home to an array of fascinating animals.

1. The lilac-breasted roller has 12 different feather colours.

Kenya’s colourful national bird is a symbol of love. Their bright feathers are even used to decorate wedding dresses.

2. The Tana River red colobus can only be found on a 37-mile stretch of land.

This species is endemic and one of the twenty five most critically endangered primates in the world, with only 1000 left in the wild at last count in 2019.

3. Kenya is home to one of the most dangerous species of crocodile.

The Nile crocodile is responsible for 275 to 745 attacks per year in Africa, with 63% of these attacks resulting in fatalities.

4. However, something much smaller is Kenya’s most deadly animal.

A big threat in a tiny package, mosquitoes are carriers of some of the deadliest diseases around, such as malaria, dengue fever and West Nile virus.

5. The Grevy’s zebra is named after a French president.

French naturalist Émile Oustalet discovered Grevy’s zebra and named it after her president, Jules Grévy.

6. Taita Hills region is home to the Boulengerula taitana

The Taita African caecilian is a limbless, worm-like amphibian.

7. The Malindi-Watamu ecosystem is home to 150 different species of coral

This reef is home to 500 different species of fish. The diverse marine life earned the park a biosphere reserve status, as well as the UN World Biosphere Reserve recognition.

8. A shy ZooLab favourite

The Kenyan sand boa tucks its head into its coils when threatened, presenting predators with its tail as a decoy.

9. Kenya is home to over 805 species of spider

Arachnophobes look away. A report found that about 300 species are known exclusively from Kenya, and 158 are sub-endemics.

10. The marabou stork is one of the ugliest animals in Kenya.

You’ve heard of the Big Five, but have you heard about the Ugly Five? Kenya’s ugly 5 focuses on species that aren’t typically classed as attractive but play an important role in the ecosystem. It consists of warthog, hyena, marabou stork, vulture, and wildebeest.

Are your class studying Africa or Habitat? If so, please get in touch. ZooLab’s team are experts at hitting those Living Things and Their Habitats outcomes. Contact us at info@zoolabuk.com or fill in our contact form.