Zanzibar wildlife – Animals
Zanzibar wildlife includes the endangered Pemba flying fox, which is considered the largest bat species in the world, as well as other animals like vervet monkeys, tortoises, and bush crabs, among so many others.
When Zanzibar is mentioned to several travelers, fine white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters are what come to mind, as well as the unending views of the Indian Ocean. However, Zanzibar Island offers much more, including a diverse range of wildlife that tourists can encounter while participating in various activities during their beach holidays.
The wildlife of Zanzibar consists of terrestrial and marine flora and fauna, spread across this beautiful archipelago. Zanzibar Island has varying vegetation, including coastal forests, which inhabit quite a variety of Zanzibar wildlife that tourists who do Explore Tanzania can see and appreciate. Zanzibar wildlife is mostly small species like small animals, birds and butterflies, plus reptiles. Below are some of the Zanzibar wildlife that tourists can see while on Zanzibar holidays:
Coconut Crab
Coconut crabs are large hermit crabs also known as palm seeds and robber crabs. Coconut crabs are the largest arthropods living on land, growing up to 1 m in length. Coconut crabs have lungs, not gills, thereby making them able to live on land. Coconut crabs have quite a high sense of smell, which helps them detect food across large areas. Coconut crabs live for quite a long time, with some living for 40-60 years. Coconut crabs are edible.
Zanzibar leopard
Zanzibar leopards have not been sighted since 1995 that they have been declared extinct since. Zanzibar leopards are said to have evolved from the African leopard. The Zanzibar leopard became extinct due to poaching and hunting down of the Zanzibar leopard by locals, who then found them quite troublesome and saw them as a danger.
Red Colobus Monkeys
Red colobus monkeys are some of the most commonly seen Zanzibar wildlife, especially on the Unguja Island of Zanzibar. The Zanzibar red colobus monkeys are regarded as endangered species and are thus one of the conservation priorities in Zanzibar.
Pemba flying fox
Pemba flying foxes are threatened species living in the subtropical mangrove forests in the various parts of Zanzibar Island. The Pemba flying fox is one of the largest types of fruit bats, with a face resembling a fox and an orange underfur covering most of its body.
Chameleons
Chameleons are one of the most commonly seen Zanzibar wildlife, seen throughout the island. It is the Meller chameleon also known as the giant one-horned chameleon, that is commonly seen in Zanzibar.
Blue Sykes’ monkey
Blue sykes’ monkey is also known as the White throated monkey and is only found in Zanzibar, South Africa, Ethiopia and the Congo. Blue sykes’ monkeys can easily be seen in grasslands and mangrove forests, from where they get a variety of food, including plants and animals.
Ader’s Duiker
Ader’s duiker is a forest-dwelling mammal that looks like a small deer, found throughout the forests of Zanzibar as well as along the coast of Kenya. Ader’s duiker often times eats fruits, flowers, and leaves on the ground. Feral dogs and other predators, as well as hunting, are their main threat.
Apart from the above-mentioned Zanzibar wildlife, other animals in Zanzibar that travelers may spot while visiting include bush babies, hyraxes, monitor lizards, Zanzibar servaline genets, feral pigs, Javan civet cats, marsh mongooses, tortoises, dik-diks, green turtles, sperm whales, humpback whales, manta rays, lobsters, octopuses, scorpion fish, moray eels, dolphins, and red-knobbed starfish, among so many others. These are some animals of Zanzibar wildlife to look out for while on various activities on Zanzibar Island.
Zanzibar Island has a number of forests and marine parks, which all protect and inhabit the various wildlife of Zanzibar. Some of the most prominent marine parks and forests include Menai Marine Park, Misali Marine Park, Mnemba Marine Park, and Chumbe Marine Park, as well as the Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park, Ngezi Forest Reserve, and Kiwengwa/Pongwe Forest Reserve.
Zanzibar wildlife is something out of the normal that travelers can look forward to seeing and encountering while on Zanzibar holidays, away from the usual attractions and activities on Zanzibar Island.
When Zanzibar Island is mentioned, most times it is the white sand beaches, scenic views of the Indian Ocean, and water sports like scuba diving and swimming with turtles, as well as the amazing Zanzibar nightlife, among so many others that travellers look forward to encountering. Zanzibar, however, has a number of other attractions, including Zanzibar wildlife, Zanzibar birds and so much more.
Get in touch with a reputable tour operator to help you create one of the most unforgettable Zanzibar holiday packages, incorporating a number of other attractions and activities in Zanzibar, including seeing the various Zanzibar wildlife.
