The document discusses the "Big 5" animals that are sought after by big game hunters in Africa due to their size and difficulty to hunt. The Big 5 includes the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. Brief descriptions are provided for each animal including their physical characteristics, habitat, breeding behaviors, and social structures. The term was coined by big game hunters to refer to these five large African animals.

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

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