Amazing Animals Malawi

A landlocked country in East Africa, Malawi has an abundance of wildlife. A great deal of the country is made up of Lake Malawi, home to about 500 fish species. The country also includes part of the Great Rift Valley.

The official national animal of Malawi is the beautiful Thompson’s gazelle, or “Tommie.”

Native Animals

African buffaloes are a large species of bovine native to sub-Saharan Africa. They have large horns forming a bone shield across the tops of their heads. They are large and aggressive animals.

African bush elephants are one of two species of elephants on the continent. They are the largest terrestrial mammals and very social, gathering in herds. They feed on grasses, herbs, creepers, bark, and leaves.

African leopards are a subspecies of leopards that are native to sub-Saharan Africa. They inhabit savannas, grasslands, and mountainous forests. These animals usually feed on large ungulates like antelopes and elands.

Black rhinoceroses are a species of African rhinos native to eastern and southern Africa.

Caracals are a medium-sized species of wild cats native to Africa. They have long ear tufts and robust bodies. These wild cats are great swimmers and climbers and can catch birds in midair just by jumping. They are carnivores and mainly prey on small mammals, rodents, and birds.

Giraffes are the tallest animals in Malawi. With their long legs they roam savannas, open woodlands, and grasslands. Their long legs and necks help them feed higher in the canopy than most other browsers, giving them access to food other animals can’t reach.

Nyalas are a species of spiral-horned antelope that are native to southern Africa. They enjoy dining on grasses, fruit, and foliage. They inhabit areas close to bodies of water.

Plains Zebras prefer open terrain and spend most of their time in open savannas, grasslands, woodlands, and scrublands. Typically, zebras move about these areas in social groups called harems, consisting of one dominant stallion (male) and several females and their offspring.

Rusty-spotted genets are small omnivores related to mongooses. They are nocturnal and solitary animals but can at times hunt or live in pairs. They dine on rodents so can be spotted around cultivated fields looking for field mice. These mammals are semi-arboreal, meaning they spend much of their time in the trees and prefer to live in densely forested areas. They sleep during the day and use densely vegetated tree branches, aardvark burrows, or rock crevices as shelter.

Southern African lions are a subspecies of lions found in eastern and southern Africa.

Spotted or laughing hyenas are a large species of hyenas native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are large carnivores and great hunters.

Vervet monkeys are a species of Old World monkeys native to eastern and southern Africa. They are herbivores.

Yellow baboons are also members of Old World monkeys. They are among the most successful primates in Africa, having the ability to adapt to changing environments. They inhabit all of the national parks and reserves in Malawi.

Birds

Lesser flamingos (pictured above) are a species of flamingos inhabiting sub-Saharan Africa. They can be seen in Lake Chilwa and the Elephant Marsh. They are considered to be more attractive during the breeding season when their white feathers appear pink in color.

Malagasy pond herons are a species of the heron family common to places in Africa. These birds typically inhabit low grassy marshes, lakes, streams, and ponds where they feed on fish, insects, and small invertebrates.

Aquatic Animals

Hippopotamuses are considered dangerous animals because they are aggressive and unpredictable. They are semi-aquatic animals inhabiting lakes, rivers, and mangrove swamps. These animals feed on grasses.

Spotted-necked otters are a species of semi-aquatic mammals native to sub-Saharan Africa. They are small animals living in lakes and large rivers. Otters feed on fish, small crustaceans, and frogs.