Which Animals Are Native To Gambia Africa

Wild animals of the Gambia is dictated by several habitat zones over its full land area of about ten,000 km^two. It is bound in the south past the savanna and on the north by the Sudanian woodlands. The habitats host arable indigenous plants and animals, in addition to migrant species and newly planted species. They vary widely and consist of the marine arrangement, coastal zone, estuary with mangrove vegetation coupled with Banto Faros (barren hypersaline flats), river banks with brackish and fresh water zones, swamps covered with forests and many wetlands.^{[1] [2]}

Co-ordinate to the Authorities of the gambia, about iii.7% of the land expanse of the state has been brought nether national parks or reserves, and the present wildlife policy is to extend this coverage to five%. The 7 areas included in the protected list are the Niumi National Park, Kiang West National Park, River Gambia National Park, Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve, Abuko Nature Reserve, Tanbi Wetland Complex and the Tanji Karinti River Bird Reserve. These are managed by the Department of Parks and Wildlife Direction. The area covered past these parks is 38,000 ha.^[3]

The birdlife in republic of the gambia is colourful and rich, with 560 species inhabiting coastal saltwater, freshwater wetlands, Guinea and Sudan savanna, woodlands and forests, agricultural lands, towns and villages.^[iv] It is thus a biodiversity hot spot for ornithologists.

Geography [edit]

The flat terrain of the Republic of the gambia, drained by the The gambia River is categorised under 37,000 habitat types. The habitat types are the coast, mangroves and Banto Faros, wetlands, farmlands, savanna and the Sahel habitats, gallery forests and urban habitats etc.^[4]

The coast extends to 40 kilometres (25 mi) into the body of water with all-encompassing body of water light-green grass meadows where aqua fauna dominate; the long stretch of beach here, with occasional hills or cliffs, is topped with plants which are table salt tolerant and bind the terrain. Above these are the very one-time beaches at an elevation where the rich vegetation consists of baobab (Adansonia digitata) and ron palm (Borassus aethiopum) species interspersed with shrubs and grassland. The sea grass meadows of the littoral areas are rich in light-green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas), dolphins, common minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus), which feed on the fish species.^[5]

Mangroves and Banto Faros are the mangrove swamp forests seen at the mouth of the gambia River and extending forth the river inland up to Kaur, 150 kilometres (93 mi) into the brackish river stretch.^{[ii] [v]} It is a transitional zone betwixt aquatic and terrestrial habitats. 2 types of mangrove forests, namely the white mangrove colonies and the red mangroves, are of short superlative near the coast but raise to 15–20 thou in the upstream stretches of the river. Banto Faros are institute, after the mangroves, in flat lands which are barren and common salt encrusted; even so, succulent plants grow in some of the less saline thick mats. Fishes spawn in the mangroves before they move offshore into the ocean. Mangrove oysters, (Crassostrea gasar and Crassostrea tulipa) are also extensively plant on mangrove trees in this habitat, which are collected and used as firewood and also as building material.^[five]

Wetlands consist of salt pans, lagoons, marshes, mangrove swamps, mudflats, saltwater rivers, fresh water reaches of rivers such as the Gambia River, flooded sand mines, watering holes for animals, paddy fields and imperceptible marshes with reed vegetation in flooded areas. Crustaceans, annelid worms and molluscs are the animal in the wetlands where migrant birds and wading birds detect their feed.^[5]

Farmlands, including savanna and woodland, class now a ascendant habitat in the The gambia where crops were grown initially on a rotation system of 20 years with a fallow catamenia. This practice has since changed to 2 or three years rotation. While the agricultural crops grown are sorghum, millet and ground nuts, the tree species retained, within the lands cleared for agricultural utilize, are the Acacia albida, baobab, ficus species, winterthorn and African locust (Parkia biglobosa).^[5]

Savanna and the Sahel habitats are of two types. 1 is the southern Guinea savanna which has rich and dense vegetation of over l tree species. The other is the Sudan Savanna which is contiguous to the Guinea savanna on the n bank of the The gambia River. These areas are dry woodlands with soils of laterite formations. The local tree species include silk cotton wool (Bombax costatum), dry out-zone mahogany (Khaya Senagalensis) in deeper soil areas and African rosewood (Guibourtia coleosperma). Curt grasses and shrubs are seen thinly spread in the Sahelian habitats.^[5]

The gallery forests (moisture forests), unlike the rainforest, thrive on groundwater and are integral to savannas. It is a rare habitat institute only in Abuko Nature Reserve, Pirang Woods Park and in some stretches of republic of the gambia River with different set of species with some caste of overlap with rainforests.^[5]

Urban habitat consists of numerous villages. The open areas in between accept large greenish stretches with profusion of tree species, particularly the mango (Mangifera indica) trees.^[5]

Law of the land

Some parts of the land area of the Gambia, under the protection laws of the Banjul Declaration of 1977, which is the law on wild life, includes seven protected zones of the country. The law prohibits all types of hunting, except on animals harmful to the environment, such as warthog, giant pouched rat and francolin. Also, every bit a signatory to the International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Brute (CITES), the The gambia enforces constabulary prohibiting export or even possession within the country of any brute skins, horns or turtle shells.

Brute [edit]

Mammals [edit]

More than 100 species of mammals have been reported.^[6]

Bats

Bats form a specific grouping of 30–40 species; they are of two types, namely fruit-eating bats and insect-eating bats. Harbinger-coloured fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) and epaulated fruit bats (Epomophorus gambianus) are the near mutual species found in very large numbers. Bats also help in eating the malarial insects, one bat consuming about 3000 mosquitoes per night. Eidolon helvum is a commonly seen bat during the rainy season when flowers and fruits (mangoes) are in total blossom.^{[6] [seven]}

Rodents

Rodents noted are the Gambian sun squirrel (Heliosciurus gambianus), striped ground squirrels (Xerus erythropus)s, nocturnal crested porcupines (Hystrix cristata), mongooses, castor-tailed porcupine, civets and genets.^{[6] [viii]}

Aquatic mammals

Aquatic mammals reported are two species of dolphin, the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszi) and the W African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis)^[vi]

Carnivores

Leopards and hyenas are still occasionally idea to cross into the more remote areas of E Gambia.^{[half dozen]}

Herbivores

bushbuck, Maxwell's duiker, warthog & hippopotamus.

Primates

Bijilo forests accept endangered western red colobus monkey, the callithrix monkey (Chlorocebus sabaeus). King West National Park has baboons, and patas monkeys (Erythrocebus patas). The Senegal bushbaby Galago senegalensis, Campbells monkey (Cercopithecus campbelli). The River The gambia National park has chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). The western ruddy colobus (Procolobus badius) are a mutual sight in the Kiang West National Park, Bijilo Wood Park and Abuko Nature Reserve. Guinea baboon (Papio papio), which is big in size and fierce in appearance, is found in the northern region and also in small numbers in the coastal Makasutu Civilisation Forest.^{[6] [9]}

The aardvark is also withal reported, although very rarely seen.

Reptiles and amphibians [edit]

There are 40 snake species, nine of which are venomous, such as cobras, puff adders and mambas, genus Dendroaspis; the first 2 are common. The non-venomous reptiles are pythons, bush snakes, lizards agamas and skinks (with brown and orangish flanks); Bose's monitor, Nile monitors (Varanus niloticus), which are voracious predators; tree geckos; and chameleon.^{[10] [11]}

Iii species of crocodiles reported are: slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistpos cataphractus), West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) and West African crocodile; the first 2 are on the endangered list.^[x]

Amphibians consist of 33 species recorded so far, toads, tree frogs, crowned bullfrogs, edible bullfrogs and reed frogs.^{[x] [11]}

Birds [edit]

More than than 500 species of birds live in the Gambia.^[12] The Bijilo Forest Park and the Abuko are of import bird habitats. Faunal species seen here are the pelicans, spoonbills, yellow-billed stork (Mycteria ibis), Goliath heron (Ardea goliath), blue-cheeked bee-eater (Merops persicus), mouse-brown sunbird (Anthreptes gabonicus), African fish eagle (Hieraaetus spilogaster) (in the river valleys). Wetland bird species are Dendrocygna viduata, sacred ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus), palm-nut vulture (Gypohierax angolensis), crakes, greater painted snipe (Rostratula benghalensis) and African jacana (Actophilornis africanus).^[13]

Butterfly faunal distribution in the Gambia is dictated by the boundary of ii major biomes of Sahelian and Guinean Savanna species; it is distinctly unlike between the rainy season and dry season.^[14]

Flora [edit]

The vegetation of the Gambia is by and large savanna in the upland areas, inland swamp in the low-lying areas, and mangrove swamp along the banks of the lower Gambia River.^[12] The country is almost devoid of true forest comprehend, the most forested area being the Bijo Forest. Nonetheless it is biologically rich, with an estimated eleven,600 plant species many of which are used for medicinal purposes.^[6] Many plants are grown for food. The Cassava plant Manihot esculenta was brought to the gambia by the Portuguese betwixt the 17th and 18th centuries. It grows up to 4 metres loftier and is a staple of the national diet, consuming an average of 100 kg per person per annum in 2002 according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.^[15] Littoral inland forest comprises function of Bijilo Forest Park, Abuko Nature Reserve, Pirang Forest Park, and the River Gambia National Park.^[sixteen]

The viscid Combretum glutinosum, Combretum micranthum, Combretum paniculatrum and Combretum racemosum are common shrubs in the savanna areas of the country. Combretum Paniculatum may be found on the edges of the forests in the north of the land. These plants usually accept ruby petals and the Combretum racemosum has ruby iv-role flowers, just with inflorescence rimmed by white bracts.^[17]

References [edit]

1. ^ Penney, pp. 5–7
2. ^ ^{a b} "Ecotourism and Sustainable Wild fauna Management Experiences in The Republic of the gambia" (PDF). fao.org. Retrieved 7 Apr 2011.
3. ^ "National Parks & Nature Reserves in The gambia". The gambia Guide . Retrieved vii March 2011.
4. ^ ^{a b} Emms, pp. 25–28, 44–48
5. ^ ^{a b c d e f k h} Emms, pp. 25–28
6. ^ ^{a b c d east f g} Penney, p. 32
7. ^ Emms, p. 33
8. ^ Emms, p. 34
9. ^ Emms, pp. 31–32
10. ^ ^{a b c} Penney, p. 37
11. ^ ^{a b} Emms, pp. 38–40
12. ^ ^{a b} "Constitute and animate being life". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 7 Apr 2011.
13. ^ Emms, p. 44
14. ^ David Penney (2009). Field guide to butterflies of the Gambia, West Africa. Siri Scientific Printing. ISBN978-0-9558636-2-2.
15. ^ "Cassava in Gambia". Admission Gambia. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
16. ^ Penney, p. 44
17. ^ Steentoft, Margaret (1988). Flowering plants in Westward Africa. Cambridge University Press. p. 99. ISBN978-0-521-26192-0.

Bibliography [edit]

• Emms, Craig; Barnett, Linda & Human, Richard (2006). The The gambia. Bradt Travel Guides. ISBN978-1-84162-137-ane.
• Penney, David (2009). Field Guide to Wildlife of The Gambia: an introduction to common flowers & animals. Siri Scientific Press. ISBN978-0-9558636-one-5.

Further reading [edit]

• Penney, D. 2009. Common Spiders and Other Arachnids of The Republic of the gambia, Due west Africa. Siri Scientific Press, Manchester. ISBN 978-0-9558636-3-nine.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife_of_the_Gambia

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