Tag: Africa
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Gorgeous eyelashes of the Secretary bird
The Secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is your new favorite bird. Endemic to Africa and the national bird of Sudan, the Secretary bird looks like a combination of an eagle and a crane. Its snake-stomping legs can deliver up to 43 pounds of force. The raptor is also known for its speed, earning the nickname “devil’s…
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World’s third-largest diamond discovered in Botswana
A unit of De Beers unearthed one of the world’s largest diamonds in Botswana earlier this month. The 1,098-carat diamond is believed to be the third-largest gem-quality stone ever mined. It’s worth a jaw-dropping $100+ million. 80% of the income through sales will be passed on to the state to “be used to advanced national…
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Marvel at the Giant Groundsels of Mt Kilimanjaro
Giant Groundsels (Dendrosenecio kilimanjari) are prehistoric plants found on top of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. They evolved about a million years ago in altitudes above 14,000 feet, where they learned to harness the ability to survive sub-zero temperatures. They can also grow as high as 30 feet tall. Giant Groundsels are a member of the dandelion…
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The huge neck of the East African gerenuk
The Gerenuk is an antelope often referred to as a giraffe-necked antelope or “giraffe gazelle.” They are the longest-necked members of the gazelle family. They are unique-looking creatures due to their huge necks, small heads, and big eyes and ears. In short, they look like a gazelle had a baby with a llama. Amazingly, they…
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The Great Blue Turaco
The beautiful Great Blue Turaco (Corythaeola cristata) is a bird from West and Central Africa’s tropical forests. The birds weigh up to three pounds and grow up to 30 inches long, about a pheasant’s size. While not the most competent flyers, they are excellent climbers, spending most of their time hanging out in the trees. While the great…
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Lost and Found: The Somali Elephant Shrew is back!
The Somali Sengi, also known as the Somali Elephant Shrew, is back after a 50-year hiatus. The small insectivorous mammal endemic to Somalia was deemed extinct since the 1970s by the Global Wildlife Conservation’s list of lost species. But scientists recently rediscovered a thriving population of Somali Sengi in Djibouti. “Here we report new evidence…
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The strange but fabulous Shoebill Stork
The Shoebill Stork is your new favorite bird. Amazingly huge, the Shoebill Stork (Balaeniceps rex) may be one of the most prehistoric dinosaur-looking birds alive (note: the cassowary might be the other). An ambush predator with a height of up to 5 feet, the bird stands for long periods before engaging in a vicious attack on prey.…
