Southern Africa is endowed with an incredible diversity in habitats and wildlife. On the Southern tip of this region lies the relatively small Cape floral kingdom which is considered to be second only to the tropical rain forests in the number of species. Of great significance is that many of the species are endemic. Southern Africa has the largest number of species (13) of land tortoise. The Southern African Region is home to no less than approximately 300 mammal, 900 bird, 130 frog, 130 snake, 250 lizard, 1,500 tree, 24,000 flowering plant and an estimated 80,000 insect species! A great list indeed! The Region boasts viable populations of the fastest (cheetah), tallest (giraffe) and biggest (elephant) of earths land mammals.

The Fauna and Flora of South Africa & Southern Africa is divided into the following:

The Animal Kingdom (33 Phyla):

Vertebrates The Subphylum Vertebrata, part of Phylum Chordata, is divided into:
   • Amphibians
   • Birds
   • Fish
   • Mammals
   • Reptiles

Invertebrates includes 32 phyla of the animal kingdoms total of 33 Plus those in Phylum Chordata that are not true vertebrates!

The Plant Kingdom
   • Trees
   • Grasses
   • Herbaceous Plants 

The Fungi Kingdom
   • Fungi

Climatology

Geomorphology

Ecology:
   • Terrestrial Ecology
   • Marine Ecology