Niger Flora and Fauna reflect varied range of plant and animal life which exist on the mainland areas ever since its inception. Niger being more or les a desert country, its vegetation is of arid type, capable of surviving in the dry desert climate. However, there are some herbaceous forest regions found on Niger mainland area which help different types of animals to thrive. Overall,
Niger Flora and Fauna are unique of their types, offering diverse experiences to both national and international onlookers.
Flora in Niger starts peeping on the land only when rains fall on the land scarcely. Hence, the growth of trees is generally not very dense; they exist sparsely, scattered throughout the mainland areas. The natural vegetation of Niger mainly belonging to dry, savanna type, consists of trees like shea or karate tree, bastard mahogany, baobab and kapok. These vegetations are mainly herbaceous in nature, on which the animals of Niger feed and thrive.
Niger's natural vegetation is popularly known as Sahelo-Saharan, whose growth differs with variations in the climate and soil conditions of the land. A handful of cereals, date palms and doums grow in the oasis and the Aïr Koris regions. Some fruit trees, eucalyptus and flamboyants survive in the spring areas of the Bilma region. While the northern highland regions of Niger find growth of Mediterranean type of vegetations like cypresses and Laperrine olives, the Sahelina region is found covered with scattered grasslands, thorns, graminaceae and acacia. However, dense vegetation occurs as one proceeds towards Niamey and Sudanian area in the south, where the prominent trees include silk cotton, tamarind and karate or shea nut.
Fauna in Niger are especially adopted to survive in the dry, waterless desert environment. Here, it is quite difficult for the animals to derive moisture. Most of the animals hide themselves in daytime to avoid high temperatures and intense heat, and generally come out in the night for hunting and feeding purposes. Some of the nocturnal and other animals found in Niger include:
- Monkeys
- Antelopes
- Hyenas
- Scorpion
- Sand swimmer
- Ostrich
- Elephants
- Gazelles
- Giraffes
- Lions
- Waterbuck
- Leopard
- Wart hog
- Horned vipers
- Crocodiles
- Hippopotamuses
- Manatee
- Turtles
- Lizards
- Pythons
In fact, it is these bio-diversities of Niger that have indeed added charm and attraction to it, diverting quite a handful of nature lovers to the land.
