Animals in Liberia

Liberia is a country found in West Africa that lies close to the equator, in the tropics. Here there are many species of animals and plants and form part of the West African Rain Forest.

One of the animals found in Liberia is the Liberian Mongoose. This rare mongoose is mainly found in the northern parts of Liberia where the live in the low lying areas. The Liberian mongoose has a dark brow color and has stripes on the neck. The feet are much darker compared to the rest of the body.

These animals have a long snout as well as long claws on the front feet that enable them forage and scratch for food. They eat mainly beetle larvae and earthworms, which they dig up from the ground. The Liberian mongoose is widely hunted by the local population as a food delicacy. The mongoose is also badly affected by deforestation as well as increased human activity within its habitat.

The nation of Liberia also has a sizable chimpanzee population. The chimpanzees live mainly in the deep forests and jungles of the greater West African Rain Forest. The Chimpanzees have large forequarters including a broad chest, strong shoulders and powerful arms. The hind quarters are much less imposing.

The chimps have senses that are very similar to humans including their senses of smell, touch, hearing and sight. Their bodies are covered with hair in most places except the palms of the hands and feet and the armpit area. The male species is much larger than its female counterpart.

Liberia also has what are known as hairy frogs. These are frogs that contain hair-like gills which are used for breathing underwater when mating. However, this applies to males only. Females too, have hair but these are not gills. The frogs have claws on their toes.

There are a number of animals on the endangered list found here too. They include the Pygmy hippo, the Diana monkey, Cross River Gorilla, the white-breasted guinea fowl and the Nigerian chimpanzee among a host of other endangered species.