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 a

Lion Leopard Rhino

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 Among the largest of the herbivores
long tail Barrel-shaped body, thick legs, and
Short, sleek, coat tawny yellow to three-toed feet
reddish brown Very long head with wide, square
Length: 3 feet 4 inches to 4 feet 2 mouth; massive hump at the top of the
inches neck
Tail: 27 to 32 inches Horns on both sexes
Height: 23 to 28 inches Slate-gray to yellow-brown
Weight 62 to 143 pounds Length: 11 feet 4 inches to 13 feet 4
Habitat: Every type except interior of inches
large deserts Height: 5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 2
Breeding: 1 to 4 cubs born year round inches
Solitary and territorial but sometimes Weight: 3,740 to 5,060 pounds
shares hunting ranges Habitat: Savannas with shade trees,
Eats whatever form of animal protein water holes, and mud wallows
is available 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

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;
Largest land mammal
Length: 22 feet 8 inches to 25 feet
(includes outstretched trunk)
National
Park
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

5
In search of the
seasonal in others; 1 calf after 11 Cohesive herd of 9 to 11 females and
months gestation calves
Sociable and stay in herds Males leave at 12 years and wander
Bulls past their prime associate in
BIG
alone or live with other males
bachelor groups or alone