Category: Animals
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African Clawless Otter, Aonyx capensis, called El??g??d?? in Yoruba is the most widely distributed otter species in Africa. The generic name, aonyx, which means “not-clawed”, refers to this otter species’ clawless forelimbs. They have thick, smooth fur with almost silky underbellies. Chestnut in color, they are characterized by white facial markings that extend downward towards…
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Mountain Reedbuck, a medium-sized, graceful and shy antelope species, Redunca fulvorufula, called Etu in Yoruba is characterized by short curved horns, which is seen only in males. Head and body length reaches 100-136cm, plus additional tail length of 18-20 cm. Shoulder height is within 65-89 cm. The Western Mountain Reedbuck R. f. adamauae has been…
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Multimammate Mouse, Rattus natalensis, is one of the commonest African rodents. It is so called because the female are multi breasted. Though widespread throughout Africa, the multimammate rat is relatively not common in Nigeria. Being fair climbers, they thrive in human habitats showing tolerance towards its own species and other rodents. Size is mouse-like, but…
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Nigeria Leaf-toed Gecko, Hemidactylus muriceu, is one of the several species of lizards in the family Gekkota, distinct from the Common Gecko, which exists in close range by the use of gapping and squeaking as part of its defensive behaviors. The Nigeria leaf-toed Gecko has narrow subcaudal scales. They feed on beetles, spiders, moths, flies,…
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Nigerian shrew, Crocidura nigeriae, belongs to the order of small insect-eating mammals with long flexible snouts. It is a large shrew with a very dark brown dorsal pelage appearing grizzled. Shrews, called Èkúté in Yoruba, are fast-paced animals and they are known to eat very frequently, burrowing into the ground with their pointed snout. Tail…
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Nile Crocodile, Crocodylus niloticusis, is the second largest extant reptile species, about 5m long and weighing some 225 kg, having a lizard-shaped appearance, with a rough and scaled hide. This vicious and widely feared animal is largely restricted to living in tropical and sub-tropical environments such as the Afro-tropics of Central Africa. Lurking almost totally…
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Nile Grass Rat, Arvicanthis niloticus, are medium-sized rats with stoutish bodies, widely distributed in sub Saharan Africa, but traditionally held to extend to the mouth of the Nile River. The genus rattus to which it belongs was introduced to Africa by Arab and European ships in sometimes well-documented progression. It is an important reservoir for…
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Ogilby’s Duiker, also known as the, White-legged Duiker, Cephalophus ogilbyi, is a little known small antelope found in the southeastern end of Nigeria, distinguished among other duikers by its paler coloration and long legs with powerful hindquarters. It weighs up to 20 kg and has a shoulder height of up to 56 cm. Head and…
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The Scimitar-horned Oryx, Oryx dammah, which formerly existed in northern Nigeria and indeed throughout the Sahel, is an antelope species of the Oryx genus, which has long and curved horn. A few physiological peculiarities such as its ability to delay perspiration till it reach a temperature of 46.5 °C or kidney ability to minimize urine…
