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