An impoverished fauna
Unfortunately, Togo's fauna has become considerably impoverished in recent decades, mainly as a result of heavy poaching. The main species are warthogs, buffalo, antelope (including harnessed guibs), hartebeest and cob. Unfortunately, elephants and monkeys have all but disappeared from nature reserves. However, with patience, they can be observed in the Kéran National Park. Here, too, you can come across Grimm's duikers and hippotragues. Many rodents are also present, including hares, rabbits and agoutis. Crocodiles, monitor lizards and, rarely, hippos can be seen near waterholes. Insect-lovers, lizards, margouillats and geckos are numerous and fascinatingly colorful. There are also three species of amphibian endemic to Togo: the slippery frog(Conraua derooi) in the forests of Kloto (Plateaux region), Aubria subsubgillata in Kovié (Maritime region) and Bufo togoensis in the Adélé massif (Central region). During the rainy season, insects abound: mayflies, mason flies and cantharids. The Kpalimé region is also home to many species of butterfly, which will delight entomologists.
A rich and varied avifauna
With over 650 inventoried species, Togo is a bird paradise! Common specimens include francolins, herons, African cormorants, bee-eaters, black crakes, teal and little egrets. Pelicans, sparrowhawks, kites, hornbills and rollers are also not uncommon. On the Atlantic coast, you'll come across little gulls, various terns and gulls. Kingfishers and hunters, copper souimangas and Pelzeln's weavers live in wetlands and marshes. Migratory species such as widgeon dendrocygnes, African openbills, redshanks, white-throated bee-eaters and waders of all kinds come to feed on the mudflats during the dry season. If you're lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the osprey. In the mountainous areas, birds of prey can be seen, including various species of eagle and falcon. In the forests around Kloto and Blitta, the messenger snake is increasingly rare, hunted not only for its meat but also for certain rituals. Open-billed storks, crowned cranes and vultures fly over the wet savannahs.
A rich aquatic life
Cradled by the Atlantic for 75 km, Togo boasts a rich marine fauna, mainly composed of fish, molluscs and crustaceans. Market stalls sell captain, sole, sea bream, barracuda, blue marlin, grouper, swordfish and tarpon. In September-October, Togo's coasts are frequented by dolphins, humpback whales and, more rarely, killer whales. Four species of migratory sea turtle come to the Togolese coast, either to lay their eggs(Chelonia mydas, Lepidochelys olivacea, Dermochelys coriacea) or to feed(Erethmochelys imbricata). As the country is dotted with lakes, rivers and streams, freshwater fish species are also plentiful. These include tilapia, synodontis schall, barbel clippers, Labeo parvus and numerous characids. The aquatic flora includes numerous specimens of algae, water lilies, water lettuces and lentils.
An exceptional flora
With its varied ecosystems, Togo is home to a rich and diverse flora, of which nearly 3,500 plant species have been inventoried on its territory. New species are still being discovered by researchers and botanists. Unfortunately, however, the flora is becoming poorer due to a number of factors, including the intensive felling of wood for heating. From Lomé to Aného, the coastal zone is characterized by a string of coconut plantations bordering beautiful beaches. The lagoons of Aného and Lake Togo are bordered by a few mangrove swamps, which have been severely depleted. Beyond this zone lies the "terre de barre", from the Portuguese word barral, meaning "clay". This is a very fertile zone, where cassava and corn are the main crops. Numerous palm groves dot the region, and it's not uncommon to see baobabs, with their huge, stocky trunks, often hollow. To the north of Notsé and as far as Tchamba lies a zone of Guinean savannah. To the south-west, the Kpalimé region is renowned for its tree cover. It is home to numerous tree species, including iroko, mahogany and lingué. The Akotara chain favors a more humid climate, allowing for the existence of forested areas. This is the region of coffee, cocoa and avocado cultivation, extending as far as Badou and Adélé. North of Adélé, the hilly massifs are partially covered by dry forests. Towards Sokodé, the vegetation changes to shrub savannah with gallery forests. This central region has a fairly dense cover of reserves and classified forests, with a total surface area of 2,670 km2. The most important of these are the Fazo National Park (1,920 km2), with its beautiful gallery forests and fertile plains, the Abdoulaye forest (300 km2), the Aou-Mono forest (60 km2), the Malfakassa-Tabalo forest (40 km2) and the Mont Balam forest (40 km2). Cheese, shea and teak are the most common trees. There are also numerous mango, guava and papaya trees. Between Sokodé and Atakpamé lies the cotton zone. The only endemic species, Phyllanthus rouxii(Euphorbiaceae), grows on the hills north of Bassar. The Kabye region is characterized by mountainous, rocky soils, ideal for growing millet and sorghum. Further north, from Kanté to Dapaong, the landscape becomes drier. This is the realm of sub-Sudanese savannahs. Here we come across kapok, karite, baobab and cheese trees. These become increasingly rare as you approach Burkina Faso.
