Tropical forests cover much of western Africa, including the countries of Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Ghana and the Gambia. Rich in wildlife, many of the tropical forest animals of western Africa are seldom seen by humans. Small and elusive, the water chevrotain (Hyemoschus aquaticus) is a miniature species of deer reaching 30 inches in length. Known as the fanged deer, males of the species possess two small tusks that emerge from either side of its mouth. Found in the tropical swamps of western Africa, the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) is a rare nocturnal species of hippo growing to 70 inches in length. Critically endangered, there are fewer than 3,000 specimens left in the wild, according to the World Conservation Union. Many species of primate occur in western Africa's tropical forests, including the western lowland gorilla, roloway monkey (Cercopithecus diana roloway) and Miss Waldron's Red Colobus (Procolobus badius waldroni).
The temperate forests of western Africa, found mostly in Guinea, Liberia and the Ivory Coast, display immense biodiversity and is critically endangered due to deforestation. Over 30 species of primate dwell in the temperate forest, including the olive colobus (Procolobus verus) and Diana monkey (Cercopithecus diana), as well as the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). One of the rarest antelope species in the world, the zebra duiker (Cephalophus zebra) dwells on the forest floor where it consumes fruit and young leaves. Known for its zebra-like striped coat, it was hunted to near extinction for its fur. A small population of forest elephants (Loxodonta africana) dwells in the temperate forest. Found near the edge of the forest, the elephants travel between the open grasslands and the canopy in search of food.
Although not as extensive or well-known as the savannas of East Africa, the semi-arid woodlands of western Africa are home to a variety of animals. The African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), found in savanna environments throughout the continent, is critically endangered in western Africa. Known for its splotchy, multicolored coat and large ears, it is a medium-sized dog with a slender build. The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the largest predators in western Africa. Slightly smaller in its western range, they reach 75 inches in length from head to tail. A common prey animal of the leopard is the roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus). Known for their black facial markings and ringed horns, the sable antelope moves freely between the savanna and dry scrub land of western Africa.
Stretching across the African continent, the Sahel is a region of semi-arid grassland between the Sahara desert and the dry forests of central Africa. Rich in grasses, the Sahel is home to a a wide variety of antelope species, including slender-horned gazelles (Gazella leptoceros), Cuvier's gazelles (Gazella cuvieri) and the addax (Addax nasomaculatus), a large-bodied species closely related to the oryx. Predators found in the Sahel include the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) and the lion (Panthera leo), although they are increasingly rare in their western range.
