The order Carnivora consists of flesh-eating mammals, including jackals, foxes, otters, weasels, civets, genets, mongooses, hyaenas, and cats (e.g., lion and leopard). Two species of hyaenas inhabit West Africa: the striped hyaena and the spotted hyaena.
The striped hyaena lives in the open country and grasslands in the northeast of Nigeria near Lake Chad, while the spotted hyaena is more common and can be found in any grass-covered area.
The lion is the largest cat in West Africa and feeds primarily on antelopes, though it is rare in the region and limited to less populated northern areas. Leopards are smaller and more common than lions, inhabiting both forests and grasslands.
The order Perissodactyla, also known as ‘odd-toed’ ungulates, includes animals like zebras, horses, asses, and rhinoceroses. These animals differ from those in the Artiodactyla order in that their weight is supported either by one toe (the third) or three toes (second, third, and fourth), whereas in Artiodactyla, the weight rests on two or four toes.
Perissodactyls also have upper incisor teeth and are non-ruminants. The two African families within this order are Equidae (zebras, horses, and asses) and Rhinocerotidae, represented in Nigeria by the Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis).
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Carnivora in Nigeria
Carnivora is the largest order of flesh-eating mammals in Nigeria, and it includes species like jackals, foxes, otters, weasels, civets, genets, mongooses, hyaenas, and cats. They vary greatly in size, from the 1kg Libyan striped-weasel to the 130kg lion.
Most carnivores are terrestrial and nocturnal, resting in burrows, caves, thickets, or trees during the day. Some, like genets and palm civets, are arboreal, while otters are aquatic. All species in the order are predators, known for their ability to catch and kill prey.
Carnivores have strong senses of smell, sight, and hearing, and their eyes have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum that enhances night vision. Carnivores are also known for their intelligence, agility, and strength relative to their size. Five families, 22 genera, and 33 species of Carnivora have been recorded in Nigeria.
Key to Families of Carnivora in Nigeria
The families of Carnivora are primarily distinguished by their teeth and skull characteristics. However, relying solely on external features for identification may not always be accurate.
1. Hyaenidae: Large, about 70cm shoulder height (SH), broad head, pointed muzzle, forelimbs longer than hind limbs, pelage spotted or striped, four digits on each foot.
2. Canidae: Small to medium, not more than 50cm SH (except Lycaon), forelimbs and hind limbs are similar in length, pelage not spotted or striped, four or five digits on each foot.
3. Viverridae: Small to medium, pelage with large or small spots or blotches, pointed ears, tail bushy, pelage uniform beige, brown or dark brown, sometimes with stripes.
4. Mustelidae: Dorsal pelage with black and white longitudinal lines or dark brown with a white throat and chest.
Common Carnivores in Nigeria
Some of the most recognizable species within the order Carnivora in Nigeria include the hyaena (Crocuta crocuta), lion (Panthera leo), leopard (Panthera pardus), and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus).
1. Hyaena (Crocuta crocuta): A large, heavily built, dog-like carnivore with grey-brown pelage marked with irregular brown spots. Hyaenas are primarily scavengers, but they also hunt live prey. They live in packs or clans that may include up to 25 individuals, led by dominant females. They are mostly nocturnal but may also be active during the early morning or late afternoon.
2. Lion (Panthera leo): The lion is the largest cat in West Africa, with a sandy-brown coat and no distinctive markings. Lions live in social groups called prides, typically consisting of one adult male, several females, and their young. Females are the primary hunters, and lions are known for their loud roars and strong territorial behaviors.
3. Leopard (Panthera pardus): A large, heavily built cat with pale yellow-brown or beige pelage covered in black rosettes. Leopards are nocturnal and solitary, usually dragging their prey into trees to protect it from scavengers.
4. Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus): The cheetah is one of the most beautiful and graceful cats, recognized for its slim build and long legs. Its pelage is sandy or beige with black spots. Known for being the fastest land animal, cheetahs can reach speeds of up to 120km per hour over short distances. Cheetahs are diurnal, hunting in the early morning or late afternoon.
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Order Perissodactyla in Nigeria
The Perissodactyla order includes odd-toed ungulates like zebras, horses, and rhinoceroses. These animals are herbivores, with a simple stomach, and they digest plant cellulose in their intestines (hindgut fermenters). The two families in this order are Equidae and Rhinocerotidae.
1. Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis): A large, heavily built mammal weighing 900-1300kg, the Black rhinoceros has grey, naked skin often covered with mud. The animal has two horns, with the larger anterior horn curving upward.
These solitary herbivores live in dry wooded savannahs and feed on leaves, twigs, and shoots. Due to their poor eyesight, they rely heavily on their sense of smell and hearing. Black rhinos are known for their aggressive nature, particularly in disturbed areas.
They like to wallow in mud to cool their bodies, as they lack sweat glands. They typically give birth to a single calf after an 18-month gestation period, and the calf stays with its mother for two years.
The Order Carnivora in Nigeria contains five families, 22 genera, and 33 species. Carnivores in this order are characterized by their predatory nature, nocturnal habits, and specialized senses. The Order Perissodactyla, which includes zebras and rhinoceroses, comprises odd-toed ungulates that are non-ruminants with simple stomachs. Both orders include significant species that play important ecological roles in Nigeria’s biodiversity.
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