WHAT ARE THE BIG 5?

The Big 5 refers to the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, Cape buffalo and African elephant. Why not the hippo, zebra, hyena, or giraffe you may
ask? How about the cheetahthat would be an animal you would probably like to see as much as a buffalo. Well, the term Big 5 was actually
coined by big game hunters. It refers to the difficulty in bagging these large animals, mostly due to their ferocity when cornered and shot at.

Lion

Leopard
Large, robust cat, with a long heavy
muzzle
Male develops mane beginning in third
year
Length: 8 to 11 feet
Height: 3 feet 8 inches to 4 feet
Weight: 268 to 528 lbs.
Habitat: Grasslands and savannas,
woodlands, and dense bush
Breeding: Year round; 1 to 4 cubs; 3.5
months gestation
Prides include up to 30 or 40 lions
Females are lifelong residents of their
mothers territories
Adolescent males roam as nomads until
they mature

Large, spotted cat, with short powerful

limbs, heavy torso, thick neck, and
long tail
Short sleek coat tawny yellow to
reddish brown
Length: 3 feet 4 inches to 4 feet 2
inches
Tail: 27 to 32 inches
Height: 23 to 28 inches
Weight 62 to 143 pounds
Habitat: Every type except interior of
large deserts
Breeding: 1 to 4 cubs born year round
Solitary and territorial but sometimes
shares hunting ranges
Eats whatever form of animal protein
is available

Rhino

Rhinoceroses are among the largest of

the herbivores
Barrel-shaped bodies, thick legs, and
three-toed feet
Very long head, with wide square
mouth; massive hump at the top of
neck
Horns on both sexes
Slate-gray to yellow-brown
Length: 11 feet 4 inches to 13 feet 4
inches
Height: 5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 2
inches
Weight: 3,740 to 5,060 pounds
Habitat: Savannas with shade trees,
water holes, and mud wallows
Breeding: 1 calf born in March or April
Nearly pure grazer
Form peer groups; males defend
territories

Cape Buffalo

Massive animal with short neck, ox-like

barrel shape, and short legs
Horns on both sexes and flaring to the
side
Length: 8 feet to 11 feet 14 inches
Height: 4 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 4
inches
Weight: 1,100 to 1,540 pounds
Habitat: Savanna, near water
Breeding: Year round in some areas;
seasonal in others; 1 calf after 11
months gestation
Sociable and stay in herds
Bulls past their prime associate in
bachelor groups or alone

African Elephant

Largest land mammal

Length: 22 feet 8 inches to 25 feet
(includes outstretched trunk)
Weight: 6,600 to 11,000 lbs.
Tusks diverge and curve forward
Huge ears
Habitat: Rain forests to deserts,
swamps, and seashores
Breeding: 1 calf born after gestation of
22 months
Cohesive herd of 9 to 11 females and
calves
Males leave at 12 years and wander
alone or live with other males

Out of
Africa
Safari at
Kruger
National
Park

In search of the
BIG