African Animal Nicknames

[RIGBY]

It is common to hear the greater kudu called the ‘grey ghost,’ the cape buffalo referred to as the ‘black death,’ and the sable called the ‘prince of Africa’; however, until recently, I had never heard the hyena being referred to as the ‘purifier’.

What other African animal nicknames have you heard that may not be commonly known?

 

[uplander01]

My absolute favorite is "Disco Donkey" for Zebra.

 

[BryceM]

Mister spots

 

[Sh1kar]

Dassies
Flatdogs
River Horse

 

[Russ16]

Not a nickname but my whole growing up life a wildebeest was always called a Gnu, but I haven't heard that name used in quite some time. Not sure when it fell out of favor.

 

[steve white]

Undertaker for hyaena/same for marabou stork
Narri for buffalo
Go-away bird

 

[TheGrayRider]

Spotted chainsaw - leopard.

 

[BeeMaa]

Dugga-Boy for Cape buffalo, but that’s pretty common.

I’ve heard a black mamba called a “two step snake” for it’s quick acting venom.

 

[RIGBY]

Dassies
Flatdogs
River Horse

Perhaps I’m being dense, but what animals are dassies and flatdogs? Is river horse a hippo?

 

[Hedge774]

Undertaker for hyaena/same for marabou stork
Narri for buffalo
Go-away bird

Damn that biiiird......

 

[Betterinthebush]

JEEZ-UH! - black mamba
JEEZ-UH! - puff adder
JEEZ-UH! - (all) cobras
JEEZ-UH! - gaboon viper

 

[Hedge774]

I came about 15" to stepping on a 4 meter long Rock Python, AKA "Snake! SNAKE! BIG F'N SNAKE!" Sorry for the scientific wording.

 

[spike.t]

Perhaps I’m being dense, but what animals are dassies and flatdogs? Is river horse a hippo?

Hyrax...flat dog is a croc and correct

 

[steve white]

Damn that biiiird......

Well, the Blacksmith plovers are not much help either, when trailing buffalo!

Now, add "Ferrari of the Veldt" for the red Hartebeest--those things can run! Saw a zebra just shagging it for all he was worth. The Hartebeest was cantering and just drifted past the zebra! That's when I first heard "Ferrari" from the PH, and later on some video.
I understand the Tsessebe can outrun the Hartebeest.

 

[Hedge774]

I think the "Go away" bird was also called the, "Let me just see you and I'll give you something to squawk about!" bird....

 

[Altitude sickness]

“Ratel” Honey Badger

 

[Hedge774]

"Stephanie" - Honey Badger
Trust me on this one guys...

 

[steve white]

"Stephanie" - Honey Badger
Trust me on this one guys...

Perhaps because of where the honey badger sometimes attacks....?

 

[Hedge774]

Always attacks....

 

[TheGrayRider]

Black Death - Cape Buffalo