Lesser Known Wildlife Animals In Tanzania : Tanzania is well known for many things, including the variety of its habitats, flora, and fauna, all of which are important considerations when organizing Tanzania safaris here. However, a lot of tourists concentrate on the typical Tanzanian safari animals, which could cause them to miss out on the less well-known Tanzanian safari animals.
The less well-known animals of Tanzania that are just as crucial to the survival of the country’s ecosystem as the big five or predators on the prowl can be found below. Species of antelope, birds, and primates are on the list. So keep in mind to look out for these more unusual animals the next time you go on a safari tour in Tanzania.
- Abbott’s Duiker
Abbott’s duiker, a rare and endangered species, was once common throughout Tanzania, but it is now restricted to the Mount Kilimanjaro region, the Southern Highlands, and the Eastern Arc Mountains. It is a small, nocturnal antelope species that is native to Tanzania. Its diet consists mainly of plants, including leaves, fruit, moss, and flowers. The Abbott’s duiker is primarily an herbivore, but they occasionally consume live prey, like frogs.
- Crested Barbet
The crested barbet, one of nature’s finest birds, gets its name from its distinctively vibrant plumage. Its yellow belly is covered in red specks, and its wings are black and white. Its thick bill, speckled red and yellow face, and black crest are additional distinguishing characteristics. Its natural habitat consists primarily of tree holes, and these magnificent bird species are fiercely territorial, driving other birds—even barbets—out of their sphere of influence. They are frequently spotted in Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve.
- Dik-dik
The dik-dik is a different species of small antelope that is common throughout Tanzania, particularly in bushland habitats. The females’ sound, which serves as a warning to other dik-diks or animals about the presence of predators, gives rise to the name “dik-dik. The dusty color of the dik-diks’ coat makes it so they blend in with their surroundings and remain undetected. Berries, shoots, foliage, and fruits make up their diet, and they hardly ever eat grass or need a lot of water. Only the male dik-dik will attempt to mate when the chance arises, making dik-diks an almost monogamous species. While they are difficult to spot, the Serengeti National Park or Lake Manyara national parks may allow you to see them with the right assistance.
- Banded Mongoose
This species of mongoose prefers to live in grasslands, forests, or savanna habitats where they can find food easily. Their diet consists of millipedes and beetles. The banded mongoose prefers to live in colonies over other mongoose species. The term “banded” refers to the black to dark brown bars on its back, and its long, powerful claws aid in digging for food. Watch out for them in Lake Manyara and Serengeti national parks.
- Klipspringer
Numerous Lesser Known Wildlife Animals In Tanzania such as antelope species can be found in Tanzania, including the klipspringer, which can be found in Lake Manyara National Park. Their lovely coat, which ranges in color from yellowish-grey to reddish-brown, aids in their ability to blend into the rocky environment they prefer. Although they strongly prefer plants like vellozia, klipspringers eat a variety of flowers, fruits, and saplings. The dik-diks and klipspringers both rely on their diets of succulent plants for water intake.
- Kipunji
Tanzania’s highland forests are home to the kipunji, also referred to as the highland mangabey. It belongs to the old-world monkey species of primates. They have white markings on the tail and abdomen and light brown fur overall. Since it is an endangered species, a number of things, such as hunting, predation, and habitat destruction, have contributed to its decline. In Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains National Park, you can see Kipunji.
- Oryx
Oryx is yet another lesser-known Animal in Tanzania to thrill while on Tanzania wildlife Safaris and they can be seen in Tarangire National Park and Serengeti National park.
- Blue Monkeys
Another lesser-known wildlife Animal in Tanzania are Blue Monkenys specifically the Diademend Monkey . They favor the shaded areas of the dense evergreen forest, need plenty of water to drink, and eat mostly leaves and fruits. On the slopes of Mount Meru in Arusha National Park and in the forest at the beginning of some hiking routes on Mount Kilimanjaro, blue monkeys can be spotted.
- Colobus Monkey
While Udzungwa red colobus monkeys are rare and endangered, black and white colobus monkeys are striking with their lovely long tails and are typically found in high-density forests. Both of these species are threatened by habitat loss, and they are primarily herbivores that eat flowers, fruits, and leaves. While the Udzungwa red colobus monkey is native to Tanzania’s Udzungwa Mountains and can be seen in the new Magombera Nature Reserve, the black and white colobus can be found in the forest of Mount Kilimanjaro.
