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
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
Leopard
Large, spotted cat with short, powerful limbs, heavy torso,
thick neck, and long tail
Short, sleek, coat tawny yellow to reddish brown
Length: 3 feet 4 inches to 4 feet 2 inches
Tail: 27 to 32 inches
Height: 23 to 28 inches
Weight 62 to 143 pounds
Habitat: Every type except interior of large deserts
Breeding: 1 to 4 cubs born year round
Solitary and territorial but sometimes shares hunting
ranges
Eats whatever form of animal protein is available
Rhino
Among the largest of the herbivores
Barrel-shaped body, thick legs, and three-toed fee
Very long head with wide, square mouth; massive
Horns on both sexes
Slate-gray to yellow-brown
Length: 11 feet 4 inches to 13 feet 4 inches
Height: 5 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 2 inches
Weight: 3,740 to 5,060 pounds
Habitat: Savannas with shade trees, water holes,
Breeding: 1 calf born in March or April
Nearly pure grazer
Forms peer groups; males defend territories