Editing Africa (section)

=== Fauna ===

In Africa, two major faunal zones can be distinguished: the northern and northwestern zone, including the Sahara, and the Ethiopian zone, comprising all of sub-Saharan Africa. The first is characterized by fauna similar to that of the Eurasian continent, including animals domesticated by man such as sheep, goats, horses, and dromedaries. Wild species include the Barbary sheep, the African deer, and two species of ibex native to the northern African coast. The Sahara Desert is home to the fennec fox, as well as the gazelle and the jerboa.

The Ethiopian region is famous for its great variety of animals and birds, many of which are now endangered. The wooded areas and grasslands constitute the traditional habitat of numerous mammal species, including many herbivores, such as the antelope and gazelle, the zebra, the giraffe, the buffalo, the elephant, the rhinoceros, etc., as well as several species of monkeys. Among the carnivores, which prey on herbivores, are the lion, the leopard, the cheetah, the hyena, the jackal, and the mongoose. The rivers are the habitat of the hippopotamus. In the rainforests of equatorial Africa live the gorilla and other species of monkeys, the flying squirrel, the bat, and the lemurs. Many of these animals, particularly elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, lions, and gorillas, are now found only in special wildlife reserves, where, however, maintaining the original ecological balance is difficult.

Much of the birdlife is also found in Europe. Among game birds, the most widespread species is the guinea fowl. Waterfowl, particularly the pelican, the giant heron, the flamingo, the stork, and the egret, form very large colonies. The ibis is common in the Nile region, while the ostrich lives in East and Southern Africa. Among the reptiles, mostly of Eurasian origin, are the lizard, the crocodile, and the turtle. Venomous snakes, including the mamba, are found throughout the Ethiopian region. The python lives mostly in West Africa, while the boa constrictor is found only in Madagascar, where many species unique to the world are present. Freshwater fish abound in Africa, with over two thousand known species. The continent is home to numerous harmful insects, in particular mosquitoes, ants, termites, locusts, and tsetse flies, which transmit sleeping sickness to humans and animals.