African Animals Coloring Pages

Life on the Savanna

Savannas are open grasslands where trees and shrubs grow among wide grassy spaces. Acacia trees are a familiar sight in many African savanna landscapes, while the enormous trunks and unusual branches of baobab trees make them easy to recognize.

Trees can be important parts of an animal's habitat. Giraffes browse leaves from tall branches, birds may perch or nest in trees, and shade can offer animals a place to rest during the heat of the day.

Lions, cheetahs and leopards also live in African grassland regions. Each animal has its own way of moving, resting and finding what it needs in the landscape.

Families in the Wild

Many of these coloring pages show animals together. A giraffe calf may stay near adult giraffes, elephant calves learn while moving with other elephants, and lion cubs grow up around members of their family group.

Cape buffalo often gather in herds, while meerkats live in social groups and use burrows for shelter. Animals may stay together for protection, learning or finding food.

Deep in the African Forest

Not every African animal lives on an open savanna. Central and West Africa contain tropical forests filled with trees, vines, ferns and broad leaves.

Gorillas and chimpanzees live in forest habitats, and African grey parrots are found in forest regions too. Thick plant life creates a very different home from the dry, open grasslands.

Animals Around Rivers

Water is an important part of life for many animals. Hippos spend long periods in rivers and other water during the day. Their eyes, ears and nostrils sit high on their heads, helping them stay mostly submerged.

Nile crocodiles can rest on sandy banks and move through the water with much of their bodies hidden below the surface. Rivers also become important crossing places for animals moving across the landscape.

Moving Across the Plains

Wildebeest can travel in large numbers across East African grasslands. During great seasonal movements, huge groups of animals follow changing sources of grass and water.

Our wildebeest coloring page gives a small glimpse of animals approaching a river, with more wildebeest visible far across the plains.

Penguins in Africa?

Yes! African penguins live along parts of the southern African coast. Instead of snowy Antarctic ice, their home includes ocean water, sandy areas and rocky shores.

This is a fun reminder that Africa is a huge continent with many different climates and habitats. Wildlife can look very different depending on where you explore.

Color a Wild Adventure

Choose an animal and look closely at the world around it. You might notice grass, forest leaves, river rocks, ocean waves or distant mountains.

Use natural colors, invent a colorful sunset or create a completely imaginative wildlife scene. Every coloring page can become a new African adventure.