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 cheetah? That 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

Leopard
Lion Rhino
Large, spotted cat with short, powerful
limbs, heavy torso, thick neck, and Among the largest of the herbivores
Large, robust cat with a long, heavy
long tail Barrel-shaped body, thick legs, and
muzzle
Short, sleek, coat tawny yellow to three-toed feet
Male develops mane beginning in third
reddish brown Very long head with wide, square
year
Length: 3 feet 4 inches to 4 feet 2 mouth; massive hump at the top of the
Length: 8 to 11 feet
inches neck
Height: 3 feet 8 inches to 4 feet
Tail: 27 to 32 inches Horns on both sexes
Weight: 268 to 528 lbs.
Height: 23 to 28 inches Slate-gray to yellow-brown
Habitat: Grasslands and savannas,
Weight 62 to 143 pounds Length: 11 feet 4 inches to 13 feet 4
woodlands, and dense bush
Habitat: Every type except interior of inches
Breeding: Year round; 1 to 4 cubs; 3.5
large deserts Height: 5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 2
months gestation
Breeding: 1 to 4 cubs born year round inches
Prides include up to 30 or 40 lions
Solitary and territorial but sometimes Weight: 3,740 to 5,060 pounds
Females are lifelong residents of their
shares hunting ranges Habitat: Savannas with shade trees,
mothers territories
Eats whatever form of animal protein water holes, and mud wallows
Adolescent males roam as nomads until is available
they mature Breeding: 1 calf born in March or April
Nearly pure grazer
Forms peer groups; males defend
territories
 Out of
Africa
Safari at
Cape Buffalo
African Elephant Kruger
National
Largest land mammal
Length: 22 feet 8 inches to 25 feet
Massive animal with short neck, ox-like
(includes outstretched trunk)
barrel shape, and short legs
Weight: 6,600 to 11,000 lbs.

Horns on both sexes and flaring to the
side
Length: 8 feet to 11 feet 14 inches



Tusks diverge and curve forward
Huge ears
Habitat: Rain forests to deserts,
Park
Height: 4 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 4
swamps, and seashores
inches
Breeding: 1 calf born after gestation of
Weight: 1,100 to 1,540 pounds
22 months
Habitat: Savanna, near water

In search of the
Cohesive herd of 9 to 11 females and
Breeding: Year round in some areas;
calves
seasonal in others; 1 calf after 11
Males leave at 12 years and wander
months gestation
alone or live with other males


Sociable and stay in herds
Bulls past their prime associate in BIG

5
bachelor groups or alone