Native to sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile River Valley, the Egyptian goose has now settled in N. America, much of Europe, and parts of the Middle East. Although normally quite reserved and shy, males will become boisterous and aggressive during their breeding season to attract a female.

The ears of the long-eared hedgehog — longer than half the length of its head — are much larger than those of other hedgehogs. It lives in deserts and steps, using its astute hearing (and smell) to track down food, and its ample ears to radiate heat, staying cool in its sweltering home.

The riverine rabbit is among the rarest rabbit species in the world. Considered 'critically endangered', only around 250 individuals survive in a few areas of the Karoo Desert in South Africa — where they typically live along seasonal rivers.

The speckled mousebird hangs belly to belly with others in its flock to keep warm while sleeping. After a meal — of toxic plants, clay, dirt, and peddles — a mousebird may hang upside down, exposing the black skin of its belly to the sun in order to warm up and aid digestion.

The common reed frog exhibits extreme variation in colour patterns — with some 50 recognised subspecies. Additionally, this frog changes the colour of its skin according to weather and temperature, turning pure white in the heat of the dry season.

The palm-nut vulture is unusual among vultures, in that about 70% of its diet is vegetarian — mostly consisting of palm nut fruits. It was once called the "vulturine fish eagle”, because of its eagle-like appearance and the way in which it hunts; swooping to the water's surface to grab fish.

The giant otter shrew is named for its resemblance to both an otter and a shrew, despite not actually being either. It hunts nocturnally in forest pools and streams, swimming with a laterally flattened tail, like that of a fish or crocodile — an unusual swimming method among mammals.

The dwarf mongoose — Africa's smallest carnivore — uses old termite mounds as shelter, living with a family of up to 30 individuals. When foraging for insects, these mongooses work together with hornbills; the mongooses flush out insects and the hornbills watch for aerial dangers.

The pancake tortoise's shell is uniquely flat and flexible. While this lightweight armouring doesn't offer much defence, it does make it the fastest of all tortoise species. When in danger, it will swiftly wedge itself in between rocks.