African Animal Biodiversity: ~119,000 Species (20% of Global Total)

Africa harbors an estimated 119,000 described animal species, of which ~11,500 are endemic (found nowhere else). This represents roughly 20% of the world's known animal diversity. The Congo Basin, savannas, Cape Floristic Region, and Eastern Arc Mountains are key hotspots. Invertebrates dominate numerically; vertebrates include 1,100+ mammals, 2,600+ birds, 600+ reptiles, 1,000+ amphibians, and 3,000+ freshwater fish.