Incredible photos of animals in the wild

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By Emmanuelle Potter, Espresso

Kind king of the land

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With its regal horns, this kudu rules the land with a kind hoof. Dominance between males is typically determined by a peaceful display of size.

There are two species of kudu antelope: the lesser kudu found in the arid savannahs of Africa, and the greater kudu found in woodlands and bushlands on the continent. The lesser kudu can reach a top speed of 99 km/h (60 mph). These majestic creatures are often hunted for their meat, hides, and stunning horns.

Catch me if you can!

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Two oryx chase each other at full tilt through the desert.

These large, striking antelope that live in Africa and the Middle East are easy to recognize by their long horns that grow on both the males and females. Their distinctive horns are made of keratin, just like our fingernails. Oryx use them as a weapon and can even kill lions with them, though they are herbivores.

A royal penguin

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King of the Antarctic!

Rather sedentary, the king penguin lives near the sea in colonies numbering in the thousands. The chicks have thick, brown down that changes colour with age. By age one, they are almost as big as an adult.

A royal penguin King of the Antarctic!

Tooting their own horn

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Did you know that the African and Sumatran rhinos have two horns, while the Indian and Javan rhinos only have one?

It’s hard to believe that just a century ago, half a million rhinos roamed free across Africa and Asia. Today, the remaining species of rhino live in protected national parks and wildlife reserves to escape habitat loss and poaching for their iconic horns.

One big happy family

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This mama cat and her two cubs are enjoying some quality time!

The Bengal tiger makes its home in the mangrove forests between Bangladesh and India. At the top of the food chain, these magnificent felines play a vital role in maintaining natural diversity, but sadly are increasingly threatened by poaching and habitat loss due to climate change.

The thinker

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This beautiful feline is a leopard—a solitary predator found in several regions of the world, from Africa to Asia. A pro at camouflage, the leopard hunts exclusively at night and brings its prey up into the trees to eat in peace. Today, the leopard is a vulnerable species due, in part, to habitat loss, loss of wild prey, and hunting.

The thinker This beautiful feline is a leopard—a solitary predator found in several regions of the world, from Africa to Asia. A pro at camouflage, the leopard hunts exclusively at night and brings its prey up into the trees to eat in peace. Today, the leopard is a vulnerable species due, in part, to habitat loss, loss of wild prey, and hunting.

A beautiful furball!

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The Arctic fox is an animal whose colour adapts to the surrounding environment. Its fur, white as snow in winter, takes on brown or grey hues when spring arrives. Despite being able to survive temperatures as low as -50 degrees C (-58 degrees F), it often struggles to find sufficient food in the winter. When prey is scarce, it follows the tracks of polar bears and feeds on the leftover scraps from their kills.

A beautiful furball! The Arctic fox is an animal whose colour adapts to the surrounding environment. Its fur, white as snow in winter, takes on brown or grey hues when spring arrives. Despite being able to survive temperatures as low as -50 degrees C (-58 degrees F), it often struggles to find sufficient food in the winter. When prey is scarce, it follows the tracks of polar bears and feeds on the leftover scraps from their kills.

A sight for sore eyes

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It may seem like these two camels are admiring the sunset over the mountains of the Sinai Desert, but it’s more likely they’re just resting after a long day of trekking. A domesticated camel can cover 50 to 60 km (31 to 37 mi) in a day and run as fast as 65 km/h (40 mph) if needed. Capable of drinking a huge amount of water at once, it can survive on its reserves for more than eight days.

Since 2002, the wild camel has been in critical danger of extinction, with only 1,000 left in the world.

I see you following me…

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This lynx isn’t joking around! The lynx is a predator that prefers hare, but can also feed on rodents and birds. Rather sedentary and solitary, it moves mostly to find food.

Old and wise

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Highly social, as evidenced by this beautiful photo, the elephant is the largest land animal on earth. Unfortunately, the survival of the species is in grave danger. This majestic mammal has been hunted for years for its tusks, despite a ban on ivory trade implemented in 1989. According to the World Animal Foundation, tens of thousands of elephants are killed every year for their ivory—which amounts to one killed every 15 minutes.

Today, only 40,000 to 50,000 elephants remain in Asia and 415,000 in Africa.

Time to groom!

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Like the great primates, the parrot is an intelligent animal and the only one that can mimic human language. Have you ever noticed that its feet are divided? Two of its claws point to the front, and two others to the rear, helping it grip branches and hold objects more easily.

I’m not a pony!

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Who says zebras are docile? Curiously, the zebra has never been domesticated—it’s neither interested in humans, nor the comforts that a “master” could bring it.

This social equid lives in herds and feeds on herbs, reeds, leaves, and grass. Although it hasn’t been proven, scientists believe that its stripes trick the eyes of its predators, especially when a herd begins to run.

I’m not a pony! Who says zebras are docile? Curiously, the zebra has never been domesticated—it’s neither interested in humans, nor the comforts that a “master” could bring it.

I can fly!

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Why does the manta ray leap out of the water? Perhaps it’s trying to get rid of parasites or make a courtship display—scientists still don’t know, but they’re actively trying to find out.

What is known is that the manta ray (or Mobula) can reach a span of five metres (16 ft. 5 in.) and weigh more than a tonne (2,200 lb.).

Little piggy

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In a few weeks, this adorable boarlet will lose its cute stripes and become a red wild boar, then turn brown. Like its peers, it feeds on fruit, grains, bulbs, roots, and other foods found on or under the ground.

The wild boar has no predators except man, and raising and hunting them is permitted in many countries.

Little piggy In a few weeks, this adorable boarlet will lose its cute stripes and become a red wild boar, then turn brown. Like its peers, it feeds on fruit, grains, bulbs, roots, and other foods found on or under the ground.

Lion of the sea

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This little pup loves to swim!

Sea lions live in the waters of many different oceans. You can spot huge colonies off the coasts of California, Australia, New Zealand, and Galapagos. These large mammals swim in the sea to feed and cool off, then come ashore to bask in the sun. While their numbers remain strong, they are vulnerable to disease, the effects of climate change, and fishing.
Lion of the sea This little pup loves to swim!

Birds of a feather…

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Have you ever wondered why flamingo feathers are pink?

These large, long-necked birds plunge their heads underwater upside-down and use their unique-shaped bills to feed on algae and invertebrates like shrimp, which contain pigments that turn their feathers bright pink. Remember that the next time someone tells you: “You are what you eat!”

Birds of a feather… Have you ever wondered why flamingo feathers are pink?

Worth its weight in gold

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Members of the camel family, vicunas are related to alpaca and llama and live mainly in the high alpine grasslands of the Andes Mountains of Peru. Their long, silky, and lustrous fur, ranging in colour from light cinnamon to pale white, is the world’s most expensive wool. Through conservation efforts, their numbers are increasing.