Amazing Animals Gabon

Gabon has tropical rainforests, savannas, grassland, and river habitates. The country is home to 604 bird species, over 200 mammal species, 139 species of reptiles, 98 amphibian species, and 799 fish species.

Official National Animal

Black panther

African forest elephants are among the most iconic species in Gabon and the smallest of them. They inhabit the humid forests of West Africa and the Congo Basin.

Chimpanzees, also called chimps, are a species of great apes native to tropical Africa. They live in male-dominated groups, are very intelligent, and are known to use tools to find food like honey, ants, and even water.

Gabon vipers inhabit rainforests or savannas. They are venomous and have the longest fangs of any venomous snakes. These snakes are nocturnal and well-camouflaged.

Giant pangolins are the largest species of the pangolin family inhabiting western Africa. They dine on termites and ants. Pangolins walk on two legs using their tails for balance. They inhabit savannas, forests, and rainforests in areas with large termite populations and bodies of water.

Leopards are another species of large wild cat native to sub-Saharan Africa, southern Russia, the Indian subcontinent, and East, West, and Central Asia.They are swift and agile hunters.

Lions are the kings of animals. These large wild cats are native to Africa and India. They inhabit savannas, grasslands, and shrublands. They are most active at night and capable hunters.

Red-legged Sun squirrels are typically found in Gabon in areas with large trees, including plantations, primary and secondary forests, and patches of trees in savannas and gardens. They are small animals that prefer to eat fruit and seeds but also feed on other vegetation and insects. They will probe into crevices for insects and larvae and may even feed on birds and their eggs if any opportunity arises.

Straw-colored bats are the second largest African species of fruit bat. They are often called “flying foxes” for their large size, dog-like faces, widespread ears, and big eyes. They are social animals living in large colonies of 100,000 to 10,000,000. They mostly feed at night, leaving the colony in small groups to search for food in nearby forests. Straw-colored Fruit Bats are herbivores. When they find fruit, they grab it using their large thumbs and hold it to eat.

Spotted hyenas are also referred to as laughing hyenas. They are a species of hyenas native to sub-Saharan Africa and are the most common large carnivores on the continent.

Western gorillas are a species of great ape native to Africa. They are very large and strong.

Birds

Crowned eagles are a species of large birds of prey native to sub-Saharan Africa. They inhabit woodlands and forests and feed on small mammals.

White-backed vultures are a species of Old World vultures that are native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are related to the European griffon vultures. These birds are scavengers and feed on carcasses.

Aquatic Animals

Hippos are found all over sub-Saharan Africa. They are semi-aquatic and very aggressive animals.

Nile crocodiles are the largest reptiles in Gabon. Crocodiles are indiscriminate carnivores that feed on whatever they can catch. Just watch for quick movements near water sources.

Red River Hogs get their name from their beautiful coloration and preference for wallowing in and around rivers and streams. They prefer areas with thick vegetation to hide in and are rarely spotted far from the rainforest.

Waterbucks are robust animals that inhabit grasslands in Gabon and are almost always found near water. They graze in lush grasses.