Wildlife in Niger

Wildlife in Niger is defined in terms of the flora and fauna found of the land, as well as their natural habitations. Wildlife in Niger is especially adopted to endure in the dry, waterless desert environment. Here, it is quite difficult for the animals to derive moisture from the dry atmospheric conditions. Most of the animals hide themselves during daytime to evade the high temperatures and intense heat, usually coming out in the darkness for hunting and forage purposes.

Wildlife of Niger includes as many as 136 species of mammals and 529 species of birds.

Apart from the two main divisions, there are also a handful of other sub-divisions found within the wildlife species in Niger, some of which are mentioned and described below:

• "Tubulidentata" order of animals comprises only one species, the Aardvark, who are characterized by teeth without pulp cavities and made form thin tubes which are constantly exhausted and restored.

The "Hyraxes" are generally of four different animal species, consisting of somewhat small, bulky, herbivorous mammals belonging to the 'Hyracoide' order. Animals of this category are domestic cat-sized, with round bodies covered with furs and a short tail. The African Bush Elephant belong to the "Proboscidea" order, composing of three living species. It is in fact, the largest living land animal on earth.

• The dugongs and manatees are parts of the "Sirenia" order of animals, which are herbivorous and aquatic in nature. Their habitats center on the oceanic wetlands, marshy lands, coastal regions, estuaries and riversides. This is an endangered animal species in Niger.

A handful of the nocturnal and other animals found in Niger include:

Ostrich Gazelles Giraffes Lions Horned vipers Crocodiles Hippopotamuses Manatee Waterbuck Leopard

Wart hog Turtles Lizards Pythons Monkeys Antelopes Hyenas Scorpion Sand swimmer

Animal Life in Niger with enormous diversities attracts a major bulk of nature-lovers to the land, thereby promoting travel and tourism on national level.