The Big 5 refers to 5 large and dangerous African animals: the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. These animals were designated as the Big 5 by big game hunters due to the difficulty and danger involved in hunting them. The Lion is the largest cat, the leopard is a spotted cat known for its strength, the rhinoceros has thick armor-like skin, the elephant is the largest land animal, and the Cape buffalo travels in herds and has large, dangerous horns.

1. WHAT ARE THE BIG 5?
The “Big 5” refers to the Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Cape Buffalo. 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 longish heavy Large, spotted cat, with short powerful Rhinoceroses are among the largest of
muzzle limbs, heavy torso, thick neck, and the herbivores
Male develops mane beginning in third long tail Barrel-shaped bodies, thick legs, and
year Short sleek coat tawny yellow to three-toed feet
Length: 8 – 11'; Height: 3'8" – 4' reddish brown Very long head, with wide square
Weight: 268 – 528 lbs. Length: 3'4" – 4'2" mouth; massive hump at the top of
Habitat: Grasslands and savannas; Tail: 27 – 32" neck
woodlands; and dense bush Height: 23 – 28" Horns in both sexes
Breeding: Year-round; 1 – 4 cubs; 3.5 Weight 62 – 143 lbs. Slate-gray to yellow-brown
months gestation Habitat: Every type except interior of Length: 11'4" – 13'4"
Prides include two to three to 40 lions large deserts Height: 5'4" – 6'2"
Females are lifelong residents of their Breeding: 1 – 4 cubs born year-round Weight: 3,740 – 5,060 lbs.
mothers’ territories Solitary and territorial but sometimes Habitat: Savannas with shade trees,
Adolescent males roam as nomads until shares hunting ranges water holes, and mud wallows
they mature Eats whatever form of animal protein Breeding: 1 calf form in March or April
is available Nearly pure grazer
Form peer groups; males defend
territories

2. OUT OF
AFRICA
SAFARI AT
KRUGER
ELEPHANT CAPE BUFFALO
NATIONAL
PARK
Largest land mammal Massive animal with short neck, ox-like
Length: 22'8" – 25' (includes barrel shape, short legs
outstretched trunk) Horns in both sexes and flaring to the
Weight: 6,600 – 11,000 lbs. side
Tusks diverge and curve forward Length: 8' – 11'4"
Huge ears Height: 4'8" – 5'4"
Habitat: Rain forests to subdeserts, Weight: 1,100 – 1,540 lbs.
5
swamps, and seashores Habitat: Savanna and never far from
Breeding: 1 calf born after gestation of
22 months
Cohesive herd of nine to 11 females
water
Breeding: Year-round in some area;
seasonal in others; 1 calf after 11
In search of
and calves
Males leave at 12 years and wander
alone or live with other males
month gestation
Sociable and stay in herds
Bulls past their prime associate in
the BIG
bachelor groups or alone