Category: Science
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Pygmy Hippopotamus is a Nigerian species of the family Hippopotamidae, Choeropsis liberiensis. Endemic to West Africa, and mainly found in Liberia, this species is much smaller than the common hippopotamus, with proportionally longer legs, a smaller head, less prominent eyes, which is not at the top of its head and ears more towards the side…
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Pygmy Killer Whale, Feresa attenuata, is in spite of its name not whale-sized at all; rather, it is an average-sized dolphin and part of the Family Delphinidae. They are typically found in deep, warm temperate, sub-tropical and tropical waters all over the globe, and are included as one of the species found within Nigeria’s Exclusive…
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Pygmy Sperm Whale, Kogia breviceps, name is derived from the milky-white substance found in the animal’s head named spermaceti oil due to its resemblance to semen. This oil was once very useful as fuel, industrial lubricant and cosmetic ingredient. Unlike the Dwarf cousin which lives over or near the edge of the continental shelf, the…
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Potto is an arboreal, nocturnal, frugivorous and insectivorous primate belonging to the Loridae family and Genus Perodicticus. Lorises are primates and are more closely related to humans, apes, Old World monkeys and New World monkeys than any other living nonhuman primate group. Of the four subspecies of the Perodicticus potto, juju and edwardsi is found…
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Red flanked Duiker is a species of duiker, also known as Diving Buck for its dexterity in diving. The Red flanked Duiker is a tiny, stocky duiker with a rounded back. They are classified in the family Bovidae and the subfamily Cephalophinae. Red-flanked duikers, called Èsúró in Yoruba, grow to almost 35 cm in height…
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Red-fronted gazelle, Eudorcas rufifrons takes its name from its reddish forehead that contrasts with paler eye markings. Coat is red-fawn and the underside and rump is white. Head and body length reaches 110 cm., shoulder height, 70 cm. It has an average adult weight of 30 kg. This Gazelle, scarcely found in the northernmost end of…
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Red river Hog, Potamochoerus porcus, called Túùkú in Yoruba, varies in physical characteristics across its range, especially with regard to coloration. West-African bush pigs are predominantly reddish with a white dorsal stripe. The shaggy, foxy red coat has contrasting black and white markings on the head, including a white eye ring. Fur is short except…
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Roan Antelope, Hippotragus equinus, called Àgbáñreré in Yoruba, is the most magnificent antelope of the Nigerian plains and scrublands, having a horse-like appearance with a dark-tipped mane. H. equinus kobc, which is the subspecies found in Nigeria, has contrasting black and white face markings, very long pointed ears with tufts on their tips. Males stand…
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Rock Hyrax, Procavia capensis, is a small marmot-like mammal with short stump for a tail, and padded soles adapted for increased traction allowing them negotiate steep and often smooth rock surfaces with great ease. The sweating feet also help in the animal’s climbing behavior. Rock hyraxes do not dig burrows and do not have adaptive…
