Amazing Animals Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is a small country on the coast in West Africa. The country is divided between lowland plains, lush rainforests, and the Loma Mountians. Wildlife includes mammals and aquatic animals.

Official National Animal

Chimpanzee

Native Animals

African bush elephants are also called African savanna elephants. They are the largest terrestrial animals on Earth. These elephants inhabit grasslands, savannas, and forests. They feed on grasses, leaves, twigs, bark, and fruit.

African forest buffaloes are also referred to as Congo buffaloes. They are the smallest subspecies of the African buffalo. They live in Central and West Africa in rainforests.

African leopards are a widespread subspecies of leopards found in sub-Saharan Africa. They inhabit grasslands, savannas, and mountainous forests. These big cats feed on any prey they can get.

Bongos are a species of ungulate native to Central, East, and West Africa. They live in small areas in tropical jungles. These antelopes feed on grasses, leaves, bark, and fruit.

Diana monkeys are a species of Old World monkey endemic to a small area of West Africa. These monkeys inhabit high-canopy forests. They were named after the Roman goddess Diana due to their white brows resembling the goddess’ bow. These are herbivores eating fruits, leaves, and flowers.

Gambian Epauletted fruit bats are a species of megabats in Sierra Leone with dog-like faces. Unlike other bats that are secretive, these regularly roost in bright, low areas on the edges of forests or even under the roofs of thatched sheds, seemingly undisturbed by the presence of people. They prefer fruit, such as ripe figs, mangos, guavas, or bananas.

These are a species of wild pigs that are native to areas of Central and West Africa. Giant forest hogs make their homes in wooded areas. They are the largest wild members of the pig family and are herbivores. These are nocturnal animals.

Red river hogs prefer areas with thick vegetation to hide in and are rarely spotted far from the rainforest. They dine on grasses, leaves, tubers, roots, and fruit. They typically forage at night, and their excellent sense of smell allows them to locate food.

Servals are among the few relatively large species of wild cats. Their diet consists of rodents, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. They live along forest edges, grasslands, and wetlands.

Birds

African harrier hawks are a medium-sized species of birds of prey. They are native to sub-Saharan Africa. Their upper parts, breasts, and heads are pale gray, and their bellies are white. These birds live in tropical regions. Their favorite ecosystems include grasslands, savannas, meadows, and other similar habitats. Some of their most common prey items include mice, rats, lizards, rabbits, birds, frogs, fish, ducks, and more.

North African ostriches are also called Barbary ostriches. They are the largest birds in the world. Even though flightless, they can run incredibly fast. The ostrich’s diet consists mainly of roots, leaves, and seeds, but ostriches will eat whatever is available. Sometimes they consume insects, snakes, lizards, and rodents. The North African ostriches are usually found in grasslands and savannas that are dry with trees here and there.

Aquatic Animals

African clawless otters live around rivers and other freshwater sources. They are clawless except for three grooming claws on each back foot. They eat fish, crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, and small mollusks.

African manatees are a species of manatee native to the western coastline of Africa. Some inhabit inland freshwater streams and rivers. They feed on aquatic vegetation, clams, mollusks, and fish found in nets.

Pygmy hippopotamuses are a small species of mammals that are native to West Africa. They are semi-aquatic and typically live near rivers, streams, or swamps. Pygmy hippos spend time in water to keep their skin moist and to escape predators. These animals are nocturnal.