Facts About Animals of West Africa

While most species of hippopotamus can weigh up to 10,000 pounds, the pygmy hippopotamus of West Africa weighs just over 400 pounds and has a length of around 5 feet. A solitary mammal, pygmy hippos enjoy their time alone and come out mostly at night.

The colobus is a primate of distinct black-and-white markings commonly found in the forests of western Africa. Nimble and quick, the colobus can make remarkably long jumps from tree to tree, even though they are practically without thumbs.

Elephants live safely and non-threatened in West Africa in reserves and protected wildlife areas. Because of their valuable tusks, elephants are often hunted illegally for profit and prestige. It is estimated that around 5,000 elephants live in western Africa at this point.

The splendid sunbird of West Africa is one of the most colorful birds in the region. Appearing solid black at a glance, the males of the species have patches of high contrasting and vivid shades of violet, blue and green only seen in certain lighting.

As the largest cat in Africa, the lion has held its reputation as the king of the jungle. However, lions live in groups called "prides," and it is in fact the females of the groups that do all the hunting.

Searching for prey in the treetops, the West African green mamba is an incredibly agile and fast-moving snake. These snakes typically grow to between 4 and 6 feet in length and can take down animals much larger than themselves.