The African Forest Elephant is the smallest of the three living elephant species. This species has oval-shaped ears and straight tusks that point downward instead of curved. Elephants are matriarchal and live in groups of about 20 individuals. This is an herbivorous species with a diet consisting of mainly fruits and grasses. The African Forest Elephant has a gestation period of 22-24 months and can live up to 70 years.

Taxonomy

The Okapi was discovered in 1901 by British explorer Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston. This species is related to the Giraffe but has a shorter neck and legs. The Okapi are a brown-red color with horizontal white stripes around its forelimbs and hindlimbs that allow it to blend into its surroundings. Okapi are herbivores and have four stomachs that assist in digesting tough vegetation. This species tends to be a solitary animal but can sometimes be seen congregating in small groups to eat, groom, and play.

Taxonomy

The Congo Sunbird is a slim, long-billed sunbird. The males and females differ greatly. The male sunbird is mostly black or dark green with a red stripe across its chest and elongated tail feathers, while the females can be seen as a dull grey-brown color. The song bird stays in in the same region year-round and does not migrate seasonally. They are nectarivores meaning they derive their nutrients and energy from sugar-rich nectar of flowering plants.

Taxonomy

Reaching up to 14 feet in length, the Black Mamba is Africa's longest venomous snake. Their name comes from a blue-black color on the inside of their mouth. This species is shy and will usually try to escape, however if threatened they have a deadly strike. The venom of a Black Mamba can be fatal in as little as 20 minutes. These carnivores have a diet consisting of mostly rodents, amphibians and other reptiles. The Black Mamba is a dioecious amniote, meaning they reproduce sexually by producing amniotic eggs.

Taxonomy

The African Tree Toad lives a solitary life in the tropical lowland forests of Africa. This toad has long-thin webbed toes for climbing, hopping and gripping surfaces. The African Tree Toad is carnivorous and uses its tongue to catch prey at up to 5mph. They mainly feed on invertebrates such as spiders, worms and other various insects. Cutaneous respiration is seen in many amphibians including the African Tree Toad. This is the process of breathing through the skin. This species is also ectothermic, relying on thermoregulation to maintain body heat.

Taxonomy

Gabon Ebony is the blackest wood to grow. This is a very dense hard wood with interlocked grain. This wood is very resistant to rot, termites, and other insects. Due to its high density, it is a very hard wood to work with but its unique characteristics make it popular in ornamental work. Because of its rarity and high demand, this wood comes at a very expensive cost.

Taxonomy

The Egyptian Star Cluster is a herbaceous plant of the eudicots group of angiosperms. This perennial can be found in the Arabian Peninsula and Eastern Africa. Its bright flowers attract many butterflies and hummingbirds. The Egyptian Star Cluster can be seen in a variety of colors including, gold, pink, purple, red and white.

Taxonomy

Millipedes belong to the phylum Arthropoda meaning "jointed legs". Arthropods, including the Millipede, are characterized by segmented bodies and jointed appendages with an exoskeleton of chitin. When they hatch, they can have as few as 3 segments, new segments are added after each molting period. Millipedes can have up to 200 pairs of legs. This insect feeds mostly on dead and decaying organic matter. Some species may secrete a pungent toxic liquid or gas as a defense mechanism.

Taxonomy

Jumping spiders have incredible stereoscopic vision that produces depth perception used for hunting and navigation. They have four pairs of eyes that allow them to detect, stalk, and attack prey making them exceptional hunters. When hunting, they are capable of very agile jumps up to several times the length of their bodies. These spiders are bimodal breathers meaning they can exchange respiratory gases in both air and water.

Taxonomy

The Chanterelle Mushroom has a distinctive gold color and funnel shape. This mushroom has a fruity aroma and is used widely in culinary practices. This ectomycorrhizal fungi grows in clusters in coniferous forests and can also be found in mountainous birch forests. The Chanterelle Mushroom can often be confused with the false chanterelle. The false chanterelle has a more orange color with a dark center and true gills rather than the folds of the Chanterelle.

Taxonomy