A Review of Wild Animal Habitat Types in Africa

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume IV, Issue X, October 2020|ISSN 2454-6186 A Review of Wild Animal Habitat Types in Africa Okeke, A.N.1*, Ijeomah H.M2 1Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State Nigeria 2Dept of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323 Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Corresponding Author* Abstract: This review aims to give a comprehensive summary of wildlife species for the basic requirements of food, water, wild animal habitats found in Africa. IUCN in their report reproduction (nesting), and protection against predators and observed how important habitat is and emphasized that the competitors (cover). Habitat provides the space requirements worst threat to a wild animal is the loss of habitat. Habitat of that allow wildlife to occupy, move around, and generally wild animals requires four basic components which are food, survive and cope with climatic extremes (Morrison, 2012). cover, water, and space for reproduction (nesting), protection against predators, and competitors. When these components The concept of wild animal habitat varies according to the were in good proportion and well distributed, it can meet the needs of each species, and for the world conservationist needs of wild animals. Any wild animal that is outside its habitat (IUCN, 2018), the concept may be simplified further to finds it difficult to adapt, survive, and reproduce. This work include a description of those areas that are best suited for a reviews types of habitats found in Africa as well as adaptive wild species to successfully nest, roost, forage, and reproduce. animals that inhabit them. Some of these wild animal’s habitats Given the wide diversity of wild animals within and across include savanna, mountain, and rocks, tropical rain forest, continents of Africa, the needs of a particular wild animal desert, aquatic (Wetland), caves and holes, arboreal, grassland, species will vary greatly; however, all terrestrial species and coral reefs. Each wild animal also possesses adaptive require food, cover, water, and space (Yarrow and Yarrow features that enable it to survive in a specific habitat. 1999). It is generally accepted that increases in the diversity of Keywords: Adaptive features, Conservationist, Food, Space, vegetation across a landscape will lead to increases in the Water value of the landscape as a habitat for a variety of species I. INTRODUCTION (Vavra, 2005). As a result, since the late twentieth century, many professionals have shifted their focus from a narrow ild animal habitat is the type of natural environment in view that is guided by the habitat value of one or a few Wwhich a particular species of organism lives (Oates, et individual species to a broader view that recognizes the al, 2018). Each habitat has a unique type of requirements that multiple values that wild animal habitat can provide for a will sustain a particular species of organism. Every species wider mix of species. One important aspect of understanding adapts to a particular environment where it can find food, whether sufficient wild animal habitat is available in Africa water, shelter, and space that animals need to live (Desbiez, involves understanding the needs and requirements of a 2007). Africa has a wide variety of Wildlife habitats which species throughout its life cycle. In many cases, healthy and differs according to the species diversity and richness (NEA, bountiful wild animal populations are dependent on a mosaic 2002). Three geographical categories of wild animal habitat of different habitats across Africa. To complicate matters a include terrestrial, aquatic and arboreal habitats. Terrestrial bit, habitat requirements may vary by the season of the year, wild animals live on land; arboreal animals live on top of trees as some species (particularly birds) may migrate thousands of while aquatic animals live on the water. Terrestrial habitats miles for breeding and favorable grounds. include savanna, mountain, grassland, tropical rain forest, desert, rock, and caves. Arboreal animals spend most of their FOOD: The availability of food is the most important habitat time on the trees, depending on the degree of adaptation and requirement to which we can all relate. The availability of the climbing ability (Cumming and Cumming, 2013). For food plays a critical role in allowing a species to live, grow, example, climbers like monkeys can inhabit the top of the reproduce, and survive (Erickson, 2012) The consumption of trees, fewer climbers can boreholes and live on the trunk of food allows wildlife species to generate energy, which is trees while others can inhabit branches of the understory. critical since they need the energy to reproduce and to escape Aquatic animals include all animals that live on wetland like predators (Garshelis, 2000). Food is also important for rivers, freshwater, lakes, oceans, swamps, ponds, and predators since they need the energy to hunt prey in the first marine habitats, including salt marshes, the coast, the place. Not having enough food weakens a species’ ability to intertidal zone, estuaries, reefs, bays, the open sea, the sea move and to avoid being consumed by other predators. A lack bed, deep water, and submarine vents. (Manu, 2000). of food can also weaken a wildlife species’ ability to ward off disease, which can then make it vulnerable to a variety of II. WHAT ARE WILD ANIMAL HABITATS other threats (Keay, 2009). Wild animal habitats are areas distributed horizontally and Not all food sources are of the same quality. All wildlife vertically across the globe that fulfill the needs of a specific species, as well as humans, have their preferred suite of foods. www.rsisinternational.org Page 196 International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |Volume IV, Issue X, October 2020|ISSN 2454-6186 In the world of wildlife, food preferences are also observable for regulating body temperature, metabolism, and digestion, for each species. For instance, elephants are herbivores and and for facilitating the removal of metabolic wastes. Some prefer to consume a wide variety of leaves from bushes and wildlife species, such as roadrunners e.g. horny toads tender branches of favorite trees. Other wildlife species, such (Phrynosoma platyrrhines) have adapted to arid areas with as the gray wolf is a carnivore and prefer to consume low amounts of annual rainfall, while other species require ungulates such as antelope, elk, caribou, or moose, but they sufficient water e.g. red salamanders (Pseudotriton ruber). will also consume smaller animals, such as hares, badgers, They need landscapes or habitat that contain digressional squirrels, and mice, as well as lizards, snakes, and frogs when wetlands, ponds, and other hydrologic features (Hoffmann and larger prey is in short supply. Baattrup, 2007). Even though wildlife species express food preferences, they SPACE: Enough space should be provided for wild animals will typically consume whatever is available to generate the within and inside their habitat and ecological niche. This is energy needed to reproduce and to survive. Like humans, they associated with the carrying capacity of a habitat, especially would prefer to simply consume certain types of food, but when inhabited animals are more prolific. Space is a basic generally cannot because a limitless supply of the preferred requirement for all wildlife to forage, seek cover, protect their food is usually unavailable. In many cases, this does not hurt young, and have access to diverse habitat conditions (Campos, wildlife species' health (Chandler and Johansson, 2014). 2013). Habitat can provide food, water, and shelter but limited Unfortunately, if a particular habitat only provides low-quality space can affect the wildlife population negatively. Space food sources, then the health and vigor of a particular wildlife inside habitats may change over time due to population species could be adversely affected. Low-quality food increase. Other causes of change may come as a direct result supplies could lead to weak individuals and potentially affect of human activities such as deforestation and bush burning. or inhibit reproduction processes (Ogunjemite et al, 2005). The size of habitat depends on the size of wildlife. Large mammals occupy large space in their ecological niche, while COVER: Another key requirement of wildlife habitat is the small wildlife species occupy lesser (Gustavvson et al 2012). cover that exists within a landscape or forest. The cover is The niche of an organism within an ecosystem depends on used by different species of wildlife for many purposes such how the organism responds and reacts to the distribution and as nesting, breeding, roosting, rearing young, and escaping abundance of other factors, and in turn how it alters the predators. Predators use cover as a venue for creeping up on factors. For example, when resources are abundant, and stalking potential prey. The cover may also be used as a population grows, although by growing, the population thermal protection during extremely hot or cold periods. The provides more resources for predators and less space for the cover requirements of different wildlife species can vary species. Mortality may occur in a situation where there is a greatly. For instance, African elephants in the wild commonly growing population in a limited space (Mitsch, 2015). bed down (sleep) in dense coniferous or deciduous

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