Jungle Guide Habitats of Animals

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Parent-Teacher Jungle Guide for
Drumming Through the Jungle • • •

The landscape of the Congo Basin is quite diverse. Though the rainforests are prominent, there are also woodlands of various density, swamp forests, and savannah-type regions. About half of the animal species on the continent of Africa live in the rainforests.

In the Drumming Through the Jungle story, common descriptions and representations of animals were used to help young emerging readers easily recognize and identify with them. More accurate information is provided below concerning the animals and their counterparts in the Congo Basin.

Overview and habitats of animals in the story

Dexter

Rabbit (Dexter)--In the Drumming Through the Jungle story, Dexter is actually a white rabbit, which would make him a New Zealand white rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Despite the name, they are actually American rabbits and not from New Zealand. These rabbits are not found in Africa. The Bunyoro Rabbit or Central African Rabbit (Poelagus marjorita), however, is found in various African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo. They primarily live in the grassland region, and in social groups called colonies. They range from about 4.5-8.5 lbs., and between 17-20 inches long. They are herbivores and mainly eat grass and leaves.

Bananas

Monkey (Bananas)--In the Drumming Through the Jungle story, Bananas is actually a chimpanzee because she does not have a tail. Though chimpanzees and monkeys are both primates, chimpanzees are technically apes (along with gibbons, gorillas, and orangutans). There are actually two chimpanzee-type of primates in the Congo Basin. The common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) is the most prevalent and found throughout the Congo Basin. The bonobo [bə-ˈnō-bō; ˈbä-nə-bō] (Pan paniscus), has very similar features and characteristics to the common chimpanzee. The bonobo is found exclusively in central Democratic Republic of Congo. On average, chimps weigh around 85 lbs., and are about 4 ft. tall. They live in social groups called troops, ranging from 30-80 members. Chimpanzees are omnivores. They primarily eat fruit, leaves, flowers, nuts, and roots, as well as an occasional bug or worm. On rare occasions, they supplement their diet with meat.

King

Lion (King)--The African lion (Panthera leo), popularly referred to as the king of the jungle, does not generally live in the jungle. Typically, the lion lives on the African savannah, but there is some evidence that indicates their presence in the plateaus of the Congo Basin (rainforest region) in the countries of the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) and Gabon. The African lion weighs between 265-550 lbs., and is around 4.5-8 ft. long, and stands about 4 ft. tall at the shoulders. Lions live in social groups called prides, which can span up to 100 square miles. They are carnivores and prey on antelope, gazelle, warthogs, and occasionally giraffe and young elephants.

Sleek

Snake (Sleek)--There are various species of pythons native to Africa. They are non venomous snakes and can grow to be quite large. In Drumming Through the Jungle, Sleek, though more vibrantly colored for young readers, is most closely aligned with the ball python (Python regius). The ball python, also known as the royal python, is on the smaller size for pythons, averaging around 3-4 feet in length. It gets its name from its tendency to curl into a ball when threatened or stressed. The ball python has a mild temperament, and is secretive, aided by its camouflage color of brown and tan. It is found in western and central Africa, including Cameroon in the Congo Basin. It lives in grasslands and open woodlands, and being cold blooded, is generally near water so it can cool itself. Ball pythons are carnivores and feed on small mammals such as mice, shrews, and rats, by first constricting them.

Trunks

Elephant (Trunks)--African elephants are found in both the Congo Basin (rainforests), as well as on the African Savannah (flat, open, grassland). The African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) lives in the rainforest and weighs between 7,000-9,000 lbs, and can grow up to 8 ft. tall. It is significantly smaller than the African Bush Elephant on the savannah (Loxodonta africana), which weighs between 13,000-20,000 lbs., and can get up to 13 ft. tall. Elephants live in social groups called herds. They are herbivores, and eat various types of vegetation including: leaves from trees and shrubs, tree bark, vines, and fruit, they also drink large amounts of water.

The above information was adapted from the following sources:

Rabbits

http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/rabbits_hares_pikas/bunyoro_rabbit.html

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Hare_vs_Rabbit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_white_rabbit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bunyoro_Rabbit

Monkeys

http://www.outtoafrica.nl/animals/engchimpanzee.html?zenden=2&subsoort_id=1&bestemming_id=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonobo

http://www.theprimata.com/pan_paniscus.html

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pan_paniscus.html

http://www.zoosociety.org/Conservation/Bonobo/WhatIs.php