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WILDLIFE THIS MONTH
Best Wildlife to See in September

These species are at their most visible in September. Tap any to see where to find it and how to spot it.

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)

Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus)

June to September off Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo; tour operators depart daily from both islands for guaranteed Whale Shark encounters.

Empty

Endangered

Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)

Panther Chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)

September-May

Empty

Least Concern

Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

May-October: Dry season increases hyena activity around waterholes and carcasses.

Empty

Least Concern

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

Oriental Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris)

April-October. Dry season improves visibility in forest canopies for hornbills.

Empty

Least Concern

Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus)

Pied Cuckoo (Clamator jacobinus)

June-September Monsoon breeding improves audibility for spotting cuckoos

Empty

Least Concern

Clownfish (Amphiprion spp.)

Clownfish (Amphiprion spp.)

June-March: Calmer seas improve diving conditions for spotting clownfish in anemones.

Empty

Least Concern

Rain Quail (Coturnix coromandelica)

Rain Quail (Coturnix coromandelica)

June-September Monsoon breeding enhances visibility for spotting quails

Empty

Least Concern

Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

June-October: Dry season increases mamba activity in open savannas.

Empty

Least Concern

Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)

Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox)

September-December

Empty

Vulnerable

African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)

African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)

May-October: Dry season brings elephants to waterholes for drinking and bathing.

Empty

Vulnerable (Bush); Endangered (Forest)

Barbel (Barbus spp.)

Barbel (Barbus spp.)

June-October: Dry season improves fishing conditions for barbel in Lake Tanganyika.

Empty

Least Concern (most species)

Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)

Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)

June-September. Monsoon increases mantis activity on flowers.

Empty

Least Concern

Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

Aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

April-November

Empty

Endangered

African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)

African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)

May-October: Dry season enhances visibility of pack hunting in open areas.

Empty

Endangered

Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)

Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)

June-October: Dry season makes tortoises more active in open savannas.

Empty

Least Concern

Orca (Orcinus orca)

Orca (Orcinus orca)

Join a licensed whale watching vessel from Victoria or Campbell River between May and September for the most reliable sightings.

Empty

Endangered

Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros)

Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros)

April-October. Dry season increases beetle activity in forests.

Empty

Not Evaluated

Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor)

Lesser Flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor)

June-November

Empty

Near Threatened

Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera spp.)

Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera spp.)

April-October. Dry season increases butterfly activity in forest clearings.

Empty

Vulnerable (some species)

Nile Perch (Lates niloticus)

Nile Perch (Lates niloticus)

June-October: Dry season improves fishing conditions for perch in Lake Victoria.

Empty

Least Concern (invasive in some areas)

Indian Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)

Indian Paradise-Flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi)

June-September Monsoon breeding enhances visibility for spotting flycatchers

Empty

Least Concern

Indian Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus)

Indian Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus)

June-September. Monsoon triggers breeding with loud calls in wetlands.

Empty

Least Concern

Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata)

Waved Albatross (Phoebastria irrorata)

April-December

Empty

Critically Endangered

Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae)

Coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae)

June-March: Calmer seas improve diving conditions for spotting this deep-sea fish.

Empty

Critically Endangered

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