Definishons
By xizoria carter
Sahel
bio geographic zone of transition in Africa between the Sahara Desert to the north and the Sudan Savanna to the south.
rift valley
A rift valley is a linear-shaped lowland between some highlands or mountain ranges
savanna
A savanna is a rolling grassland with shrubs and isolated trees which can be found between a tropical rain forest
sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara desert.
rain forests
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with annual rainfall between 250 and 450 centimetres (98 and 177 in).
oasis
fertile spot in a desert where water is found
marsh
an area of low-lying land that is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide, and typically remains waterlogged at all times.
delta river
A river delta is a landform that forms from deposition of sediment carried by a river as the flow leaves its mouth and enters slower-moving or standing water
AFRICAN FOREST ELEPHANTS
Little is known about African forest elephants because of their densely vegetated surroundings. Weighing in between 7,000 and 9,000 lbs., they are far smaller than their cousins on the African savanna. Their role in the rainforest environment is no less important, however. Trampling through the forest, elephants form trails that can be used by people or other animals. Scavenging for tree bark and vines to eat, they pull down smaller trees and branches, which lets in sunlight for the forest floor. Their love of fruit and other vegetation makes them a very efficient means of spreading seeds throughout the forest. Their relatively small, angular bodies and ears and their softly padded feet appear to be made for moving through thick vegetation easily and
GORILLA
A native of equatorial Africa, gorillas can be found in rainforests stretching from Cameroon in the west to Congo and Rwanda in the east. The best known of Africa's three gorilla species is the mountain gorilla, an endangered animal that lives in the montane rainforests and bamboo forests around Rwanda and Congo-Kinshasa's Lake Kivu. Poaching and hunting have devastated mountain gorilla populations. Only an estimated 400 are left. Gorillas can grow to be as tall as 5'9" and weigh up to 600 lbs. Hardcore vegetarians, gorillas spend most of each day searching for leaves, stalks and plant shoots
BLACK COLOBUS MONKEY
One of Africa's ten most endangered monkeys, the black colobus can be found throughout the rainforests between southwest Cameroon and the Congo River. They live in the forest's high canopies and are renowned for their jumping skills. Their name, colobus, or "mutilated," derives from their lack of thumbs.
OKAPI
A native of the Congo rainforests, the okapi is kin to giraffes, but looks more like a donkey. Its neck and legs are far shorter than giraffes', but like its taller kin, it is a shy vegetarian, feeding on fruit and leaves. Female okapis are taller than males and stand about 5" from the shoulder. The species is known for its coat's purplish-black sheen and for the distinct black-and-white stripes on its buttocks, thighs and forelegs.