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.

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 Among the largest of the herbivores
limbs, heavy torso, thick neck, and Barrel-shaped body, thick legs, and
long tail three-toed feet
Short, sleek, coat tawny yellow to Very long head with wide, square
reddish brown mouth; massive hump at the top of the
Length: 3 feet 4 inches to 4 feet 2 neck
inches Horns on both sexes
Tail: 27 to 32 inches Slate-gray to yellow-brown
Height: 23 to 28 inches Length: 11 feet 4 inches to 13 feet 4
Weight 62 to 143 pounds inches
Habitat: Every type except interior of Height: 5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 2
large deserts inches
Breeding: 1 to 4 cubs born year round Weight: 3,740 to 5,060 pounds
Solitary and territorial but sometimes Habitat: Savannas with shade trees,
shares hunting ranges water holes, and mud wallows
Eats whatever form of animal protein Breeding: 1 calf born in March or April
is available Nearly pure grazer
Forms peer groups; males defend
territories
 Out of
Africa
Safari at
Cape Buffalo African Elephant Kruger
National
Massive animal with short neck, ox-like Largest land mammal
barrel shape, and short legs Length: 22 feet 8 inches to 25 feet
Horns on both sexes and flaring to the (includes outstretched trunk)

Park
side Weight: 6,600 to 11,000 lbs.
Length: 8 feet to 11 feet 14 inches Tusks diverge and curve forward
Height: 4 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 4 Huge ears
inches Habitat: Rain forests to deserts,
Weight: 1,100 to 1,540 pounds swamps, and seashores

5
Habitat: Savanna, near water Breeding: 1 calf born after gestation of

In search of the
Breeding: Year round in some areas; 22 months
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
bachelor groups or alone
alone or live with other males
BIG