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.

Leopard
Rhino
Lion 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
Large, robust cat with a long, heavy Short, sleek, coat tawny yellow to three-toed feet
muzzle reddish brown Very long head with wide, square
Male develops mane beginning in third Length: 3 feet 4 inches to 4 feet 2 mouth; massive hump at the top of the
year inches neck
Length: 8 to 11 feet Tail: 27 to 32 inches Horns on both sexes
Height: 3 feet 8 inches to 4 feet Height: 23 to 28 inches Slate-gray to yellow-brown
Weight: 268 to 528 lbs. Weight 62 to 143 pounds Length: 11 feet 4 inches to 13 feet 4
Habitat: Grasslands and savannas, Habitat: Every type except interior of inches
woodlands, and dense bush large deserts Height: 5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 2
Breeding: Year round; 1 to 4 cubs; 3.5 Breeding: 1 to 4 cubs born year round inches
months gestation Solitary and territorial but sometimes Weight: 3,740 to 5,060 pounds
Prides include up to 30 or 40 lions shares hunting ranges Habitat: Savannas with shade trees,
Females are lifelong residents of their Eats whatever form of animal protein water holes, and mud wallows
mothers territories is available Breeding: 1 calf born in March or April
Adolescent males roam as nomads until
Nearly pure grazer
they mature
Forms peer groups; males defend
territories