Animals of Kenya: The Complete List

Kenya’s mix of savanna, highland forests, freshwater lakes and Indian Ocean coast supports a wide range of wildlife, from insects and small mammals to big cats and large fish. A clear, single list helps you see species distribution quickly and choose what to look for in different regions.

There are 59 Animals of Kenya, ranging from Aardvark to Yellowfin tuna. For each species you’ll find below the Scientific name, Habitat/Where found, and IUCN status so you can compare taxonomy, where each animal occurs, and its conservation risk — see the full list you’ll find below.

How do I use the Scientific name, Habitat/Where found, and IUCN status columns when planning a visit or study?

Use the Scientific name to avoid confusion from regional common names, check Habitat/Where found to target likely locations and seasons, and consult IUCN status to understand conservation priorities; together they let you plan sightings while respecting vulnerable species.

Are all species on the list resident in Kenya or do some migrate or occur offshore?

Some species are resident (for example many terrestrial mammals), while others are seasonal or migratory and some, like Yellowfin tuna, occur offshore; check the Habitat/Where found entry for movement patterns and the IUCN status for population trends.

Animals of Kenya

Images and Descriptions

African elephant

The largest land mammal in Kenya, often seen in Amboseli and Tsavo. Known for tusks and complex social herds; look for large ears and trunk-swings. Faces poaching and habitat loss, with conservation focused on protected corridors and anti-poaching units.

Black rhinoceros

A solitary, browser rhinoceros with a hooked upper lip for twigs and bushes. Extremely rare but protected in Kenyan reserves; key ID tip is the pointed lip and smaller size than white rhino. Recovery relies on intensive protection.

White rhinoceros

A large grazing rhino with a wide square lip, reintroduced to protected Kenyan conservancies. Often seen in open grasslands in sanctuaries; ID by its blunt snout and massive body. Conservation uses fenced reserves and translocations.

Lion

Iconic big cat of Kenya’s savannas, living in prides and hunting cooperatively. Look for tufted tails and social groups near water at dawn or dusk. Threats include habitat loss, prey decline, and human-wildlife conflict.

Leopard

Solitary and secretive big cat that often rests in trees and shows rosette spots. Seen at dusk or nighttime; ID by spots and stocky build. Faces poaching and conflict with livestock farmers.

Cheetah

Slim, fast predator built for speed with tear streaks on the face and small head. Seen hunting in open plains; ID by slender body and non-retractile claws. Threatened by fragmentation and human pressures.

African wild dog

Highly social, painted-coated pack hunter with large rounded ears and long legs. Known for cooperative hunts and territorial ranges; see packs in protected rangelands. Very susceptible to disease and persecution.

Spotted hyena

Widespread and vocal scavenger-predator with spotted coat and strong jaws. Found near carcasses and in prides that dominate competitors. ID by sloping back, rounded ears and characteristic whoops at dusk.

Striped hyena

Shy nocturnal scavenger with stripes and a crest along the back; smaller than spotted hyena. Mostly in dry bush and rocky areas. Often heard at night; faces persecution and low-density populations in arid regions.

Hippopotamus

Massive semi-aquatic mammal often spotted basking in rivers or crossing at dusk. Recognizable by barrel body and big mouth; dangerous if approached. Threats include habitat loss and river pollution.

Reticulated giraffe

Distinctively patterned giraffe with net-like pale lines and orange-brown patches. Found in arid woodlands and open scrub; look for long neck silhouettes at waterholes. Population declines from habitat loss and fragmentation.

Masai giraffe

Tall savanna browser with jagged, vine-like star-shaped patches. Common in southern Kenya’s parks; ID by irregular patch edges. Threatened by poaching and landscape fragmentation.

Plains zebra

Striped equid common on grasslands; stripe pattern unique to individuals. Often forms mixed herds with wildebeest; ID by bold black-and-white stripes extending to belly. Faces habitat fragmentation and competition with livestock.

Common eland

Large spiral-horned antelope with a dewlap and sturdy build, browsing in mixed woodlands. Often seen in small herds; ID by large size and cream-colored coat. Locally hunted but populations stable in protected areas.

Greater kudu

Elegant spiral-horned antelope with thin white stripes and long horns in males. Prefers dense cover; ID by vertical body stripes and corkscrew horns. Susceptible to habitat loss but still widespread in protected woodlands.

Impala

Graceful medium-sized antelope often in mixed-species herds with gazelles. Look for lyre-shaped horns on males and a characteristic facial mask; common around water. Highly adaptable and common in many parks.

Thomson’s gazelle

Small, agile gazelle of the Serengeti-Maasai Mara ecosystem with a black flank stripe and white rump. Often targeted by cheetahs; ID by slender build and fast, erratic runs. Populations pressured by habitat change.

Grant’s gazelle

Long-legged gazelle with white underparts and curved horns in males. Found in drier habitats and open plains; ID by narrow face and tall stance. Threatened by hunting and land-use change.

Warthog

Mediterranean-looking pig with tusks and a distinctive face, often seen grazing on short grass. Lives in burrows and runs with tails erect when alarmed. Common and adaptable near water and farmland edges.

Aardvark

Nocturnal ant-eating mammal with tubular snout and strong digging feet. Mostly seen at night or by fresh burrows; ID by long ears and pig-like body. Important for termite control and as burrow engineers.

African fish eagle

Powerful raptor often perched by water, acclaimed for its piping call. Hunts fish with talons; ID by white head, chestnut body and strong hook beak. A familiar and photogenic lakeside species.

Lilac-breasted roller

Colorful perching bird with lilac breast and bright blue wings, often seen on telegraph poles. Performs rolling aerial displays; ID by vivid colors and stout bill. A favorite for photographers.

Secretarybird

Tall, crane-like raptor that hunts on foot, famous for stomping snakes. Distinctive crest and long legs make it easy to spot on plains. Vulnerable due to habitat loss and disturbance of breeding sites.

Ostrich

World’s largest bird, flightless and fast-running, found in arid and semi-arid areas. Males are black-and-white, females brownish; ID by long neck and two-toed feet. Hunted historically but abundant in protected areas.

Lesser flamingo

Tiny pink flamingo that feeds on cyanobacteria in alkaline lakes, forming vast, vivid flocks. ID by small size and deep pink plumage. Sensitive to water level and pollution changes.

Greater flamingo

Large pink wader seen in flocks on coastal and inland lagoons, filtering invertebrates with downturned bill. ID by long legs and curved neck. Locally abundant but dependent on wetland health.

Grey crowned crane

Elegant crane with golden crest, loud calls, and courtship dances in wetlands and farms. ID by crown of stiff golden feathers and red throat pouch. Threatened by wetland loss and illegal trade.

Marabou stork

Large scavenging stork with bare head and huge bill, often found around towns and landfills. Recognizable by drooping pouch and large wingspan; ID by stork silhouette and scavenging behavior.

Kori bustard

One of the heaviest flying birds, prefers open plains and semi-desert. Males are large and often perform display bows; ID by mottled plumage and heavy gait. Sensitive to human disturbance.

Pied kingfisher

Hovering fishing bird often seen above water before diving for fish. Black-and-white plumage and crest make it distinctive; ID by its hovering behavior and loud calls.

Malachite kingfisher

Tiny brilliantly colored kingfisher with blue back and orange belly, often perches low over water. ID by rapid plunge-dives for small fish; common on sheltered waterways and marsh edges.

White-headed vulture

A rare large vulture with white head and broad wings, scavenging carcasses in open country. Declining steeply from poisoning and habitat loss; spot at carcasses or soaring over plains.

Saddle-billed stork

Tall, striking stork with black-and-white plumage and colorful bill; often seen wading in shallow lakes. ID by its long legs and dramatic bill patterns.

African jacana

Long-toed wader that walks on lily pads, feeding on insects and crustaceans. Brown body with chestnut wings; ID by long toes and floating habit. Common on well-vegetated lakes.

Superb starling

Vibrant iridescent bird with blue chest and orange belly; often seen in flocks near human settlements. ID by glossy plumage and chattering calls. Adapts well to gardens and town edges.

Helmeted guineafowl

Ground-dwelling bird with spotted plumage and bare blue head; often in noisy flocks. Common near farms and grassland; ID by helmet-like head and spiky calls.

Yellow-billed stork

White stork with yellow bill and pink legs that probes for fish in shallow water. Often seen in mixed colonies; ID by long decurved bill and stately foraging.

Hadada ibis

Large, noisy ibis with olive-brown plumage and distinctive loud “haa-haa-haa” call heard in towns and wetlands. Probes mud for insects; ID by robust curved bill.

African darter

Long-necked water bird that swims low with only neck above water; dries wings perched on branches. ID by snake-like neck and thin bill. Common along quiet waterways.

Nile crocodile

Large apex aquatic predator that basks on riverbanks and ambushes prey at water’s edge. ID by armored skin and powerful jaws. Important to respect at close range and observe from safe distances.

African rock python

Massive constrictor that hides in rocks and tall grass; nonvenomous and ambushes mammals and birds. ID by heavy, patterned body and slow movement. Faces persecution and habitat loss.

Black mamba

Highly venomous and fast-moving snake, typically dark olive to gray with coffin-shaped head. Avoidance is key; ID by large size and coffin-shaped head. Rarely aggressive if undisturbed.

Puff adder

Stout venomous viper with cryptic pattern, often camouflaged on the ground and ambushes prey. ID by triangular head and slow, heavy body. Frequently encountered and should be given wide berth.

Nile monitor

Large, agile lizard often seen swimming or climbing near water; feeds on fish and eggs. ID by long neck and forked tongue. Common along Kenyan waterways.

Agama lizard

Colorful small lizard with males showing blue and orange hues during breeding; often basks on rocks and walls. ID by triangular head and rapid bobbing displays.

African bullfrog

Large burrowing frog that aestivates in dry season and emerges to breed explosively in rains. Males guard tadpoles; ID by bulky body and loud mating calls. A dramatic seasonal presence.

African clawed frog

Aquatic frog with flattened body and clawed hind feet often hidden under water. Common in slow freshwater; ID by smooth skin and webbed feet. Often active at night.

Common toad

Warty-skinned amphibian adaptable to many habitats and often seen around human habitations at night. Emits a dry rasping call; ID by stocky body and parotoid glands behind eyes.

Reed frog

Small colorful tree frog often heard calling from reeds at dusk. Many color morphs exist; ID by bright dorsal patterns and sticky toe pads for climbing.

Nile perch

Large predatory fish introduced to Lake Victoria with big ecological impact; up to large sizes and famed by anglers. ID by deep body and predator habits. Important economically and ecologically.

Nile tilapia

Widespread cichlid important for fisheries and aquaculture; tolerant of varied conditions. ID by deep body and spiny dorsal fin. Both native and introduced populations support local fisheries.

African tigerfish

Fierce predatory freshwater fish with sharp teeth and silvery body that leaps when hooked. Popular with sport anglers; ID by strong jaw and torpedo shape.

Yellowfin tuna

Powerful pelagic tuna sought by fisheries off Kenya’s coast; identified by bright yellow fins and streamlined body. Migratory and commercially important; faces fishing pressure requiring management.

Whale shark

World’s largest fish, gentle filter-feeder visiting Kenyan waters seasonally. Identified by broad flat head and white spot pattern; an unforgettable snorkel encounter when present.

Humpback whale

Acrobatic baleen whale that migrates past Kenya’s coast; famous for breaching and songs. Look offshore in migration seasons; ID by long pectoral fins and knobbly head.

Blue whale

Largest animal on Earth, rare off Kenya but seen in deep waters. Characterized by immense size and small dorsal fin; ID by broad blue-gray back and blow. Global threats include ship strikes and noise.

Sperm whale

Deep-diving toothed whale with large square head and social groups; rare but present off Kenya. ID by huge head and powerful single blow. Threatened historically by whaling and now by deep-sea hazards.

Bottlenose dolphin

Familiar, intelligent dolphin often seen bow-riding near boats along the Kenyan coast. Robust body and curved dorsal fin; ID by friendly social pods and acrobatic behavior.

Olive ridley turtle

Small to medium sea turtle that nests in aggregations on beaches; often seen offshore. ID by heart-shaped shell and olive color. Threatened by bycatch and coastal development; conservation includes beach protection.

Other Animals by Country