Wildlife
Most, if not all the large mammals no longer roam throughout the West African region, however, three species of monkey – Callithrix (or Green Vervet), Patas, and the Western Red Colobus – and the Guinea baboons, are in abundance.
The Gambian hippopotamus population remains well hidden upriver, though occasionally you may see a pair of large eyes peeking out of the water, hopefully from a safe distance. Bushbucks and duikers (small members of the antelope family) can sometimes be spotted in the depths of the forests, while leopards, hyenas, African civets, and the aardvark remain shy and in very few, if any numbers.
The warthog (known locally as the 'bush pig') are common but are over-hunted by farmers and sportsmen alike. The Gambia’s bird life however, is amazingly diverse, and the 560+ bird species have relatively few predators, allowing the birds to thrive in high numbers.
In addition, The Gambia is one of the first stops for many migratory birds. Species such as the Red-billed hornbill, Purple glossy starling, and the Grey plantain-eater are common throughout the country. The Intermediate egret, the Western reef heron, and the Marabou stork can easily be seen in many of the flooded rice fields, marshes, and creeks. And the Hooded vulture, various kingfisher varieties, and Senegalese parrots are seen in more places than you would expect.
Bird-watching tips
> Bring a pair of binoculars. A small, compact one can surely be purchased at a reasonable price at an outdoor supply store.
> Head out early. Most birds are active during the cooler hours of the day, notably in the early mornings.
> Try not to wear anything bright. Stick to khaki-coloured clothing and wear a hat.
> Download and print a species checklist on www.africanbirdclub.org
Crocodiles are seen in the River Gambia and tributary creeks, particularly during the winter months when they can be observed basking in the sun on the river banks. Lizards are seen everywhere, especially the brightly coloured Rock agamas, as are frogs, though the latter come out mostly at night and are in more abundance during the rainy season.
Larger lizards, including the Nile monitor which can grow up to two meters, are often spotted near the edges of the beach and hotel grounds. Chameleons and geckos are in large numbers but are seen less often. Tortoises are still around and The Gambia has around 40 snake species, most of them elusive and harmless. However, the Puff adder, the Spitting cobra, the Green mambas, and some other species are dangerously venomous, though will only strike if threatened.
Spiders, scorpions, and various other invertebrates are less often encountered, though beautiful butterflies are numerous, with over 100 species, mostly seen during the rainy season.
Out in the sea, marine turtles, the Atlantic hump-backed dolphin, and the slightly larger Bottlenose dolphin can sometimes be spotted, and the West African manatee (sea cow), rarely seen, inhabits the coastal mangrove creeks.Tropical fish including barracuda, tigerfish, tarpon, catfish, blowfish, African red snapper, and bonga, plus small sharks and rays are numerous in Gambian ocean waters.
Termites
Throughout the country termite mounds can be seen in the fields, bush, and even alongside the roads. Characterized by large, 2 meter high or more sand coloured structures, the termite mounds resemble something like a sand castle, towers and all. Colonies of termites build these mini-kingdoms by binding soil with half-digested cellulose, the by-product of their diet of wood and straw. Monitor lizards often lay their eggs inside the mounds as it acts as an incubator with perfectly controlled temperatures. In addition, the fine clay from the mounds makes good local water jars, keeping the water cool even during the hottest of days.
If ever you find yourself lost in the bush of West Africa, the termite mound clay can be rubbed on the skin to act as a mosquito repellent and the location of the mounds likely indicate that there is a high water table, so start digging!
Plants
The Gambia lies within the Sahel, the semi-desert or savannah region that forms a broad band across Africa between the Sahara desert to the north and the forested countries of the south. Therefore the vegetation in the region consists mainly of low scrubs and well-dispersed trees such as the massive baobab, prickly acacia, and the impressive kapok, known as the silk-cotton tree. The palm is also a very common tree seen throughout the country, species include the date palm and the coconut palm. See the What to See and Do article for information on where best to spot some of Gambia's wildlife.
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