Greater Cane Rat

Mammals > Rodents

The Greater Cane Rat (Thryonomys swinderianus), affectionately known across West Africa as the ‘Grasscutter,’ is one of the largest and most ecologically significant rodents on the African continent, surpassed in size only by the crested porcupine....

Giant Otter Shrew

Mammals > Afrosoricida

The Giant Otter Shrew (Potamogale velox) is an extraordinary and ancient semi-aquatic mammal endemic to the tropical rainforests of the Congo Basin and equatorial West Africa. Despite its common name, it is neither a true otter nor a shrew, but rather a member of the...

Great Raft Spider

Invertebrates > Arachnids

The Great Raft Spider (Dolomedes plantarius), often known as the Fen Raft Spider, is one of the largest, rarest, and most magnificent arachnids in Europe. Inhabiting pristine, undisturbed lowland fens and wetland ditch systems, this giant semi-aquatic hunter does not...

Barred Grass Snake

Reptiles > Snakes

The Barred Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica) is a large, gentle, and semi-aquatic colubrid snake native to the wetlands, streams, and damp meadows of Western Europe. Recognized for centuries as a subspecies of the widespread grass snake (Natrix natrix), rigorous genomic...
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