Meet our Lion Mfalme. Mfalme in Kisawhili means "King". Mfalme likes Running, dancing, poetry and reading.

Did you know these interesting facts about a lion?

Scientific Name: carnivorous feline mammal - Panthera Leo

Home: The rivers, lakes, swamps, and wallows of Africa.

Description: have a short tawny coat, a tufted tail, and male lions have a heavy mane around the head and neck.

There are seven different species of Lions:

• African lion
• Asiatic lion
• American Lion
• Mountain Lion
• Cave lion
• White lion
• Barbary Lion
• Lions are known as the "king of the jungle" although they don't actually live in a jungle.
• Lions live in both open plains and open woodlands
• The diet of consists of meat - both large and small game
• The name of a male is referred to as a lion or tom
• The name of a female is referred to as a she-lion or lioness
• The name or offspring, or a baby Lion, is a cub, whelp or lionet who live in a lion's den.
• The average number of cubs born at a time is two (litter).
• The collective name for a group of Lions is a pride
• The sound made by a Lion is referred to as a roar or growl. A lion's roar can be heard 5 miles away (8 kilometers).
• Lions are the second largest feline. The tiger is actually the biggest wild cat.
• Baby male lions, called cubs, do not start to grow their manes until they reach puberty. They start to grow their manes at about 18 months of age and continue until they are about 5 years old. At this point they will have a full grown mane.
• The females are the ones who do all the hunting. They hunt in packs and hunt large mammals like zebras, antelope, gazelles and even buffalo. Even though it is the female lions that do the hunting, the male lions will always eat first. After they eat then the females eat and then the cubs are allowed to eat.
• Lions are born blind and do not open their eyes for a couple of weeks.
• Lions are the laziest of the big cats. They usually spend 16 to 20 hours a day sleeping and resting.
• Most lions drink water daily if available, but can go four or five days without it. Lions in arid areas seem to obtain needed moisture from the stomach contents of their prey.
• When males take over a pride, they usually kill the cubs. The females come into estrus and the new males sire other cubs.
• Lions often steal hyenas' or other animals' kills. However, a large group of hyenas can sometimes steal a lion's kill.

Meet Mrembo our Hippo. Mrembo in Kiswahili means" beautiful" She likes painting, travelling, going to museums and reading

Did you know these interesting facts about a hippo?

Scientific Name: Hippopotamus amphibious "river horse."

Home: The rivers, lakes, swamps, and wallows of Africa.

Description: Barrel-shaped, blue-grey body with pink belly, large head, and stumpy legs.

• They spend most of the day in the water.
• The hippo's yawn is not a sign of sleepiness or boredom but is actually a threat gesture, displaying long, thick, razor-sharp canine teeth, or tusks, with which it is capable of biting a small boat in half.
• They are hoofed vegetarians, feeding on grass, fallen fruit, and occasionally on cultivated crops such as sugar cane or corn during the night.
• Although not part of the Big Five, the hippo is the third biggest land animal, slightly smaller but heavier than a white rhino (the elephant is the biggest).
• In spite of its huge size the hippopotamus can outrun a human.
• The hippopotamus tusk-like incisors and canines grow continuously. They are ivory, valued even more highly than an elephant's because they do not turn yellow with age.
• The ears and nostrils – located at the top of the head – close automatically when the animal is under water.
• The Hippo practically has no hair, and its smooth skin is quite delicate.
• The hippo's skin exudes a red, oily liquid that keeps the skin moist and protected when it is out of water. The liquid has lead to a myth that the hippo sweats blood.
• A group of hippos is called a "bloat."
• Hippos are remarkably quick out of the water, attacking anybody or anything that they feel might be a threat to their young.

Meet Mstari our Zebra. Mstari in Kiswahili means "Stripes" She likes painting, travelling, going to museums and reading

Did you know these interesting facts about Zebra's?

Scientific Name: Burchell's zebra (Equus burchellii); Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi)

Home: Woodlands to open plains.

Description: have horse like bodies, but their manes are made of short, erect hair, their tails are tufted at the tip and their coats are striped.

• There are three species of zebras: Mountain, Plains, and Grevy's zebras.
• Each zebra has unique stripes unlike any other zebra—like human fingerprints.
• Zebras are considered to be black with white stripes, not white with black stripes.
• Zebras cannot be tamed and trained like horses due to their wild unpredictable nature.
• Zebra herds can include thousands of zebras. However, within the herd, there are families that remain together.
• A zebra family is made up of one stallion, a few mares, and their offspring.
• Members of a zebra family are caring! If one is attacked by a predator, others do not run away. They stick together as the stallion tries to drive away the predator.
• The black and white stripes are a form of camouflage called disruptive coloration that breaks up the outline of the body. Although the pattern is visible during daytime, at dawn or in the evening when their predators are most active, zebras look indistinct and may confuse predators by distorting true distance.
• In all zebra species, the stripes on the forequarters form a triangular pattern; Grevy's have a similar pattern on the hindquarters, while identify individual zebras by comparing patterns, stripe widths, color and scars. others have a slanted or horizontal pattern.
• At first glance zebras in a herd might all look alike, but their stripe patterns are as distinctive as fingerprints are in man.
• Zebras will kick and bite when attacked. A kick from a zebra can be fatal.
• Zebras sleep standing up. They will only sleep when neighbors are around to warn them of predators. If there are no neighbors present in the area one member of the zebra family will remain awake to stand watch while the others sleep.
• Zebras communicate with each other through a high-pitched barking vocalization. Zebras make a whinny sound similar to a donkey.
• Zebras feed mainly on grasses but also eat shrubs, twigs, leaves and bark. They are quite dependent on water and need to drink daily.
• Foals are born brown and white instead of black and white.
• The different species of zebras do not interbreed.
• The Mountain Zebra is currently protected in national parks but remains listed as endangered.
• Zebra species are differentiated by their stripes as well as other bodily characteristics.
• Newborn zebras can run an hour after they are born.
• Zebras eat during the early and late periods of the day resting during the midday heat.

Meet Mjanja our Monkey. Mjanja in Kiswahili means "Cheeky". Mjanja like Playing the guitar, singing, baking and reading.

Did you know these interesting facts about a monkey?

Scientific Name: It appears also to be related to manikin, from the Dutch manneken ("little man").

Home: The rivers, lakes, swamps, and wallows of Africa.

Description: Most of them have tails, if they don't; they are referred to as apes.

• Monkeys never catch the Common cold.
• Monkeys use vocalizations, facial expressions, and body movements to communicate.
• Monkeys like to stay clean and groomed. That is why; a monkey would have another one to take the job of a barber. The barber monkey gets paid in the form of bugs in the customer's coat.
• If you see a monkey grinning or pulling its lip, then you better leave it alone. These are signs of aggression.
• There are currently 264 known monkey species.
• Monkeys can be divided into two groups, Old World monkeys that live in Africa and Asia, and New World monkeys that live in South America.
• A baboon is an example of an Old World monkey, while a marmoset is an example of a New World monkey.
• Apes are not monkeys.
• Monkeys peel their bananas and do not eat the skins.
• Monkeys can grasp with both their fingers and their toes.
• Most monkeys have tails.
• Groups of monkeys are known as a 'tribe', 'troop' or 'mission'.
• The Pygmy Marmoset is the smallest type of monkey, with adults weighing between 120 and 140 grams.
• The Mandrill is the largest type of monkey, with adult males weighing up to 35kg.
• Capuchin monkeys are believed to be one of the smartest New World monkey species. They have the ability to use tools, learn new skills and show various signs of self-awareness.
• Spider monkeys get their name because of their long arms, legs and tail.
• Some monkeys live on the ground, while others live in trees.
• Different monkey species eat a variety of foods, such as fruit, insects, flowers, leaves and reptiles.
• Monkeys peel their bananas and do not eat the skins.
• Monkeys can grasp with both their fingers and their toes.
• Most monkeys have tails.
• Groups of monkeys are known as a 'tribe', 'troop' or 'mission'.
• The Pygmy Marmoset is the smallest type of monkey, with adults weighing between 120 and 140 grams.
• The Mandrill is the largest type of monkey, with adult males weighing up to 35kg.
• Capuchin monkeys are believed to be one of the smartest New World monkey species. They have the ability to use tools, learn new skills and show various signs of self-awareness.
• Spider monkeys get their name because of their long arms, legs and tail.