| The South African Big 5 |
| The contents of these pages are geared towards pre-K5 (elementary) primary school children (what you call it depends on where you are in the world). There are puzzles and activities on the individual pages that range from those for the very young to those who are quite a bit older and possibly engaged in projects. I hope you find this information helpful. In some of the units there will be concepts for little ones, for example number and letter tracing and alphabet books... These will be uploaded as and when they are completed... For more individual pages on each animal please visit our section on African Animals. Thanks for calling by, please come back soon! Although "THE BIG 5" of South Africa are Lion, Rhino, Leopard, Buffalo and Elephant, we have so many beautiful animals in South Africa (in Africa) that it should be called the "SA Big 15" - anyway I decided to feature quite a selection of them here. Enjoy! |
When you start researching an African safari, the term "Big Five" often crops up. The "Big 5" refers to the Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Cape Buffalo. Why not the hippo, gorilla or giraffe you may ask? Are they not large as well? How about the cheetah? -- that would be an animal you would probably like to see as much as a buffalo. Well, the term "big five" was actually coined by big game hunters (not safari tour operators). It refers to the difficulty in bagging these large animals, mostly due to their ferocity when cornered and shot at. *Please note that I do not in any manner whatsoever endorse, condone or approve of hunting. Information contained in these pages is just that - information.* (Dave Hutchinson) LION Most people will hope to see a lion or three while on safari in Africa. Luckily they are not quite as difficult to spot as the rhino or leopard. You have a good chance of seeing lion at most of the major game parks in southern and eastern Africa. Unlike most felines, lions are actually quite social and live in prides of up to 15 members. So, you can get the chance to watch the little ones play and interact with their bored looking mothers. There is nothing quite so chilling as hearing a lion roar in the night while you are camping but they are actually not prone to attacking humans unless you're unlucky and come across a man-eating lion. For further information about the lion, its behaviour, habitat and characteristics see the African Wildlife Foundation. LION HUG (ZIP FILE) LEOPARD While leopards are more numerous than rhino in the Big 5 pantheon, they are sometimes just as difficult to spot while on safari in Africa. Leopards use trees as observation platforms and for protection, so you have to remember to look up to see this solitary, beautiful cat. Leopards are shy and nocturnal, quite modest for a cat that can climb, swim and live in a wider range of habitats than most other wild cats. ELEPHANT The largest land mammal in the world is remarkably adaptable; you can see elephants in rain forests, deserts and savannahs while on safari in Africa. Elephants are usually quite peaceful if left alone, but if they feel threatened, watch out. There's nothing quite like being charged at by 12,000 pounds of animal, flapping its ears and trumpeting loudly. Did you know that an elephant's trunk has more than 40,000 muscles? To find out more about the African Elephant, its behaviour, habitat and characteristics see NATURE: The Elephants of Africa. BUFFALO When you spot the Cape Buffalo while on safari in Africa, you usually don't spot them alone. They tend to appear in very large (and intimidating) herds. Even when looking at them through binoculars from a distance, the males always seem to be staring right at you with intense dislike. Weighing in at over 700 kg's (1540 lb's) even lions don't dare take a chunk out of this beast. Cape Buffalo are said to have killed more big game hunters than any other animal in Africa. Hence they have earned their place in the Big 5 RHINOCEROS Rhinos are large mammals (only second in size to the elephant), shortsighted, bad tempered but magnificent to look at. Unfortunately there aren't too many to look at these days due to poaching. Rhino horn, used for medicinal purposes, is much prized in the Middle East and the Far East where it is more valuable than gold. There are two species of rhino in Africa, the Black rhino and the White rhino, both of which you can see while on safari. Black rhinos have suffered the most drastic reduction in population in the last 20 years. There are now only about 3500 left in the wild although valiant conservation efforts are increasing those numbers. The white rhino is more numerous numbering at over 11,000 but they are heavily concentrated in Southern Africa. Rhinos are actually neither black nor white in colour, they are all grey. For more information on conservation efforts and general information about rhinos see the International Rhino Foundation Much of the information used on this website and in the printables was obtained from www.wikipedia.org |
African Fauna provides great information on all African animals and more.
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| Artist John Banovich is passionate about lion conservation and has partnered with the African Wildlife Foundation to promote conservation of Africa's "Kig of Beasts." The Lion P.R.I.D.E. initiative mission is focused on conserving lions for future generations through supporting important scientific research, preserving large conservation landscapes and benefiting rural community development. Visit www.lionsforever.com to get involved. |
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