Did
You Know that Ghana has nearly 250 species of mammals ... almost
a quarter of all the mammals found on the continent of Africa?
In this group there are 13 different primate species, two kinds
of elephants, 15 types of antelope, 14 different bats and even
manatee. And the variety doesn't end there. We also have snakes,
lizards, tropical fish, turtles, frogs and a few other very bizarre
critters. Wherever you go, you will probably meet a few of our
wild neighbours. In Ghana, even the animals ... have a Smile for
You!
Most
of Ghana's African elephants reside in the north with the majority
found in Mole National Park. Park visitors are almost guaranteed
to meet our peaceful pachyderms. Among the estimated 500 elephants
found at the Mole National Park, there are three relatively tame
individuals. They wander about the front of the lodge grounds
and feed on the fresh grass and shrubs, giving guests a great
opportunity to get photos. Forest elephants (Loxodonta Africana
cyclotis) are a subspecies and can be found in Kakum Park and
the Ankassa Reserve. Our hippos live on the western side of the
country, mostly within Bui Park. Buffalo (syncerus caffer) are
found in most of our reserves and parks. The smaller forest buffalo
is also common. The Red River Hog is a forest swine and can be
found in most of Ghana's forest areas. The Giant Forest Hog is
nocturnal and not easily seen. Warthogs are also common in many
of the national parks.
Lions
are almost extinct in Ghana but a small pride can still be found
in Mole National Park. Leopards however, are plentiful in most
of the forest areas that are more isolated from human activity.
There are two species of Hyena which occur mostly in the northern
part of the country: the Spotted Hyena and the Stripped Hyena.
The endangered African Hunting Dog (Lycaon pictusis) is almost
extinct in Ghana but a few still survive in the Mole National
Park. African hunting dogs hunt mainly in the morning and early
evening. They hunt as a pack and can reach speeds of 55 kms/hr
in running down game. There is only one pack left in Ghana and
throughout Africa they are highly endangered. Mole and the surrounding
savanna is also home to the Black-Backed Jackal and Side-Striped
Jackal.
Ghana
is home to five species of Mongoose, including the Marsh Mongoose,
White-Tailed Mongoose, Pygmy Mongoose and the Gambian Mongoose.
The fifth species is the Cusimanse, (Crossarchus obscurus) which
differs from the other social mongooses in that it lives in the
high forests and not in the open areas that other species normally
occupy. Other mongooses are typically found in savannas, woodlands,
open grasslands, and semi-arid bush. Cusimanse kills it prey with
one single bite to the back of the neck, but they do not shake
their prey. The Cusimanse forages at night, individually or in
groups that can number up to 20 or more. They use their snouts
to push matter and debris around in order to find insects, larvae,
small reptiles, tender fruits, and berries. They have been observed
climbing trees and even foraging in water to find freshwater crabs.
Ghana's diverse range of primates is one of the country's eco-treasures.
A few Mandrill baboons are found in some of Ghana's rain forests
and also in Mole Park.
The
Diana Monkey (Cercopithecus diana) is almost extinct in Ghana
and the only places it can still be found are the Ankasa and Bia
Resource reserves. This striking animal is an important indicator
of forest health because of its dependence on high canopy forests.
Two subspecies inhabit the eastern part of the Upper Guinea forest,
which includes Ghana, and are considered endangered: the Diana
Roloway Monkey (Cercopithecus diana roloway) and the black-and-white
colobus (Colobus polykomos vellerosus). Also known as the Geoffrey's
Pied Monkey, the black-and-white colobus is easily seen in the
Boabeng & Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Brong Ahafo. This sanctuary
is also home to the Mona Monkey. Monas can also be observed at
the Tafi Monkey Sanctuary in the Volta Region. The Green Monkey
is common in most of Ghana's reserves and they prefer savanna
and woodland to dense forests.
The common Chimpanzee still occurs in the western rain forests
bordering Côte d'Ivoire, but you are unlikely to see one.
The Mangabey is mostly found in central Africa. The ones in Ghana
have a small white collar and can be seen in the western forests
of the country. The Patas monkey prefers the dry savanna and is
found mostly in Mole National Park in the north. Anubis baboons
(savanna baboon) can be found in Mole Park and in the Shai Hills.
The Poto is a nocturnal creature found in most of Ghana's rain
forests. Like many of Ghana's monkeys, the Long-Tail Monkey and
Lessor Spot-Nosed Monkey can be found in any one of Ghana's rain
forests. Elusive and a nocturnal creature, the Galagos is also
known as the Bush Baby and is found in most of Ghana's forests.
Ghana's largest antelope reside in Mole National Park. The Western
hartebeest can be found there and in the surrounding area. The
Defassa waterbuck is not shy of humans and is frequently found
near the Mole Park lodge. The Bohor reedbuck is less common and
is mostly seen near lakes, rivers and streams. At Mole Park and
the neighbouring Gbelle Reserve, there is an especially large
population of the majestic roan antelope, (Hippotragus equinus).
Only an hour from Accra, the capital, you can see small herds
of Kob in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve. Kob are plentiful at
Mole too. Though some of the smaller antelope can be seen in open
areas, they are mainly acclimated to forests. The Bushbuck is
very common to most areas in Ghana and can occasionally be seen
in Kakum National Park. The rare Bongo is very shy and secretive
and is unlikely to be observed. The Oribi is like a miniature
reedbuck but very uncommon in grassland areas.
The
delicate Water Chevrotain (Hyemoschus aquaticus) is related to
the European Deer and is mostly found near water in Ghana's rain
forests. It weighs about 12 kilos and feeds almost entirely on
fallen fruit. Ghana has 6 species of Duiker: the Black Duiker,
Maxwell's Duiker, Bay Duiker, Ogilby's Duiker, Yellow-Backed Duiker
and the Red-Flanked Duiker. Unlike the chevrotain which prefers
marshes, duikers are shy and timid forest dwellers. Ghana is also
home to the Royal Antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus), the smallest
African antelope. Though still plentiful in Ghana, duikers and
small forest mammals are at risk due to extensive hunting as "bushmeat".
The
Rock Hyrax, a close relation of the elephant, is found throughout
the country, but mostly in the north, while the Tree Hyrax is
found in most of Ghana's rain forests. The Giant Gambian Rat is
very common in every forest area. The Cane Rat grows quite large
and is found in both forest and grassland areas. The Grasscutter
(Thryonomys swinderianus) is found everywhere and is a sought-after
delicacy. Ghana has 2 types of porcupine: the Brush-Tailed Porcupine
(Atheaurus africanus) and the North African Crested Porcupine.
Squirrels are present in many different species - some of which
are : Giant Forest Squirrel, Red Footed Squirrel, the Un-Striped
Ground Squirrel and Pel's Flying Squirrel. A number of other rats,
moles and swrews are found in Ghana.
Among the other rodents are: Climbing Wood Mouse (Hylomyscus alleni),
Common Musk Shrew (Crocidura flavescens), Edward's Swamp Rat (Malacomys
edwardsi) and the Emins Giant Rat (Cricetomys emini).
Ghana
has a large number of endemic bat species. It is nearly impossible
to not see a colony of the Straw-colored Fruit Bats. They roost
in trees and in the early morning they are quite noisy as they
squabble over branches to roost on. There is a huge colony of
perhaps 2000 individuals that make their home in trees near the
37th Military Hospital in Accra. Another place where you are assured
of seeing bats is in some caves in the Shai Hills where smaller
insectivores dwell. In the western parks of Ankassa and Bia, the
following species have been recorded: Dwarf Epauletted Bat (Micropteropus
pusillus), Flying Calf (Nanonycteris veldkampi), Gambian Fruit
Bat (Epomophorus gambianus), Hammer Bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus),
Little Collared Fruit Bat (Myonycteris torquata), Nectar Bat (Megaloglossus
woermanni), Vespertine Bat (Vespertilionidae sp.), Zenker's Fruit
Bat (Scotonycteris zenkeri), White-winged Serotine Bat (Eptesicus
tenuipinnis), Angola Free-tailed Bat, (Mops condylurus), Cretzschmar's
Brown Bat (Scotophilus leucogaster), Cyclops Bat (Hipposideros
cyclops), Franquet's Fruit Bat (Epomops franqueti), Giant Leaf-nosed
Bat (Hipposideros commersoni gigas), Guinea Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros
caffer guineensis), Halcyon Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus alcyone),
and Pohle's Fruit Bat (Scotonycteris ophiodon).
Rounding
out the smaller mammals are several species of other carnivores.
The African Civet is very shy and is rarely seen. The Tree Palm
Civet is an arboreal forest animal. Representatives of the Genet
species include: the Small Spotted Genet, the Large Spotted Genet
and the Pardine Genet. There are two species of Otters in Ghana:
the Cape Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) and the Spotted-Neck
Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis). The African Wildcat is one of
Ghana's smaller forest cats; others include: the Serval, the Caracal
and the Golden Cat. The Honey Badger is also found in Ghana and
is at home in both rain forests and savanna.
The
Aardvark is normally found in the dryer savanna region. Being
nocturnal, it is rarely seen. One curious animal is the Pangolin
which lives throughout the forest regions and is present in three
species: the Long-Tailed Pangolin (Manis tetradactyla) , the Giant
Pangolin (Manis gigantea), and White-Bellied Pangolin (Manis tricuspis).
Pangolins are arboreal, spending the day in hollow trees or underground
burrows and seeking ant nests by scent at night. Also known as
Scaly Anteaters, pangolins completely lack teeth, and the lower
jaw is a small bladelike bone. Perhaps the most obvious feature
of pangolins is their scaly epidermal armor, making them look
a bit like pine cones with legs. Confronted with a threat, pangolins
curl very tightly into balls.
Most
of Ghana's African elephants reside in the north with the majority
found in Mole National Park. Park visitors are almost guaranteed
to meet our peaceful pachyderms. Among the estimated 500 elephants
found at the Mole National Park, there are three relatively tame
individuals. They wander about the front of the lodge grounds
and feed on the fresh grass and shrubs, giving guests a great
opportunity to get photos. Forest elephants (Loxodonta Africana
cyclotis) are a subspecies and can be found in Kakum Park and
the Ankassa Reserve. Our hippos live on the western side of the
country, mostly within Bui Park. Buffalo (syncerus caffer) are
found in most of our reserves and parks. The smaller forest buffalo
is also common. The Red River Hog is a forest swine and can be
found in most of Ghana's forest areas. The Giant Forest Hog is
nocturnal and not easily seen. Warthogs are also common in many
of the national parks. 
Lions
are almost extinct in Ghana but a small pride can still be found
in Mole National Park. Leopards however, are plentiful in most
of the forest areas that are more isolated from human activity.
There are two species of Hyena which occur mostly in the northern
part of the country: the Spotted Hyena and the Stripped Hyena.
The endangered African Hunting Dog (Lycaon pictusis) is almost
extinct in Ghana but a few still survive in the Mole National
Park. African hunting dogs hunt mainly in the morning and early
evening. They hunt as a pack and can reach speeds of 55 kms/hr
in running down game. There is only one pack left in Ghana and
throughout Africa they are highly endangered. Mole and the surrounding
savanna is also home to the Black-Backed Jackal and Side-Striped
Jackal. 
Ghana
is home to five species of Mongoose, including the Marsh Mongoose,
White-Tailed Mongoose, Pygmy Mongoose and the Gambian Mongoose.
The fifth species is the Cusimanse, (Crossarchus obscurus) which
differs from the other social mongooses in that it lives in the
high forests and not in the open areas that other species normally
occupy. Other mongooses are typically found in savannas, woodlands,
open grasslands, and semi-arid bush. Cusimanse kills it prey with
one single bite to the back of the neck, but they do not shake
their prey. The Cusimanse forages at night, individually or in
groups that can number up to 20 or more. They use their snouts
to push matter and debris around in order to find insects, larvae,
small reptiles, tender fruits, and berries. They have been observed
climbing trees and even foraging in water to find freshwater crabs. 
The
Diana Monkey (Cercopithecus diana) is almost extinct in Ghana
and the only places it can still be found are the Ankasa and Bia
Resource reserves. This striking animal is an important indicator
of forest health because of its dependence on high canopy forests.
Two subspecies inhabit the eastern part of the Upper Guinea forest,
which includes Ghana, and are considered endangered: the Diana
Roloway Monkey (Cercopithecus diana roloway) and the black-and-white
colobus (Colobus polykomos vellerosus). Also known as the Geoffrey's
Pied Monkey, the black-and-white colobus is easily seen in the
Boabeng & Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Brong Ahafo. This sanctuary
is also home to the Mona Monkey. Monas can also be observed at
the Tafi Monkey Sanctuary in the Volta Region. The Green Monkey
is common in most of Ghana's reserves and they prefer savanna
and woodland to dense forests. 
Ghana's largest antelope reside in Mole National Park. The Western
hartebeest can be found there and in the surrounding area. The
Defassa waterbuck is not shy of humans and is frequently found
near the Mole Park lodge. The Bohor reedbuck is less common and
is mostly seen near lakes, rivers and streams. At Mole Park and
the neighbouring Gbelle Reserve, there is an especially large
population of the majestic roan antelope, (Hippotragus equinus).
Only an hour from Accra, the capital, you can see small herds
of Kob in the Shai Hills Resource Reserve. Kob are plentiful at
Mole too. Though some of the smaller antelope can be seen in open
areas, they are mainly acclimated to forests. The Bushbuck is
very common to most areas in Ghana and can occasionally be seen
in Kakum National Park. The rare Bongo is very shy and secretive
and is unlikely to be observed. The Oribi is like a miniature
reedbuck but very uncommon in grassland areas. 
The
delicate Water Chevrotain (Hyemoschus aquaticus) is related to
the European Deer and is mostly found near water in Ghana's rain
forests. It weighs about 12 kilos and feeds almost entirely on
fallen fruit. Ghana has 6 species of Duiker: the Black Duiker,
Maxwell's Duiker, Bay Duiker, Ogilby's Duiker, Yellow-Backed Duiker
and the Red-Flanked Duiker. Unlike the chevrotain which prefers
marshes, duikers are shy and timid forest dwellers. Ghana is also
home to the Royal Antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus), the smallest
African antelope. Though still plentiful in Ghana, duikers and
small forest mammals are at risk due to extensive hunting as "bushmeat". 
The
Rock Hyrax, a close relation of the elephant, is found throughout
the country, but mostly in the north, while the Tree Hyrax is
found in most of Ghana's rain forests. The Giant Gambian Rat is
very common in every forest area. The Cane Rat grows quite large
and is found in both forest and grassland areas. The Grasscutter
(Thryonomys swinderianus) is found everywhere and is a sought-after
delicacy. Ghana has 2 types of porcupine: the Brush-Tailed Porcupine
(Atheaurus africanus) and the North African Crested Porcupine.
Squirrels are present in many different species - some of which
are : Giant Forest Squirrel, Red Footed Squirrel, the Un-Striped
Ground Squirrel and Pel's Flying Squirrel. A number of other rats,
moles and swrews are found in Ghana. 
Ghana
has a large number of endemic bat species. It is nearly impossible
to not see a colony of the Straw-colored Fruit Bats. They roost
in trees and in the early morning they are quite noisy as they
squabble over branches to roost on. There is a huge colony of
perhaps 2000 individuals that make their home in trees near the
37th Military Hospital in Accra. Another place where you are assured
of seeing bats is in some caves in the Shai Hills where smaller
insectivores dwell. In the western parks of Ankassa and Bia, the
following species have been recorded: Dwarf Epauletted Bat (Micropteropus
pusillus), Flying Calf (Nanonycteris veldkampi), Gambian Fruit
Bat (Epomophorus gambianus), Hammer Bat (Hypsignathus monstrosus),
Little Collared Fruit Bat (Myonycteris torquata), Nectar Bat (Megaloglossus
woermanni), Vespertine Bat (Vespertilionidae sp.), Zenker's Fruit
Bat (Scotonycteris zenkeri), White-winged Serotine Bat (Eptesicus
tenuipinnis), Angola Free-tailed Bat, (Mops condylurus), Cretzschmar's
Brown Bat (Scotophilus leucogaster), Cyclops Bat (Hipposideros
cyclops), Franquet's Fruit Bat (Epomops franqueti), Giant Leaf-nosed
Bat (Hipposideros commersoni gigas), Guinea Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros
caffer guineensis), Halcyon Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus alcyone),
and Pohle's Fruit Bat (Scotonycteris ophiodon).
Rounding
out the smaller mammals are several species of other carnivores.
The African Civet is very shy and is rarely seen. The Tree Palm
Civet is an arboreal forest animal. Representatives of the Genet
species include: the Small Spotted Genet, the Large Spotted Genet
and the Pardine Genet. There are two species of Otters in Ghana:
the Cape Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) and the Spotted-Neck
Otter (Hydrictis maculicollis). The African Wildcat is one of
Ghana's smaller forest cats; others include: the Serval, the Caracal
and the Golden Cat. The Honey Badger is also found in Ghana and
is at home in both rain forests and savanna.
The
Aardvark is normally found in the dryer savanna region. Being
nocturnal, it is rarely seen. One curious animal is the Pangolin
which lives throughout the forest regions and is present in three
species: the Long-Tailed Pangolin (Manis tetradactyla) , the Giant
Pangolin (Manis gigantea), and White-Bellied Pangolin (Manis tricuspis).
Pangolins are arboreal, spending the day in hollow trees or underground
burrows and seeking ant nests by scent at night. Also known as
Scaly Anteaters, pangolins completely lack teeth, and the lower
jaw is a small bladelike bone. Perhaps the most obvious feature
of pangolins is their scaly epidermal armor, making them look
a bit like pine cones with legs. Confronted with a threat, pangolins
curl very tightly into balls.