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The African Big Five

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The sun setting in the Serengeti with a large tree in the foreground and several trees in the background.
The “Big Five” refers to the five animals in Africa that were highly sought after by trophy hunters.

dktirol/Shutterstock.com

The term ‘Big Five’ today portrays the beauty and power of some of Africa’s most iconic animals, but it actually has a much darker history. Originally used by hunters who travelled to the African continent, these five animals were the most highly sought after, hunted as trophies to display the exotic nature of the individual’s bravery.

Sadly however, the excessive hunting and poaching of these animals has led to drastic declines in their population numbers, meaning that all but one are now considered at least Threatened or Endangered by the IUCN. Including two of the largest animals found on land anywhere in the world, these five are truly amongst the most spectacular animals on Earth.

A mother and baby African elephant walking through a green field with other grazing animals in the background.
African elephants generally live in forests, savannas, and floodplains in Africa.

FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock.com

Name: African Elephant



Scientific Name: Loxodonta africana africana



Size: 3m – 3.5m (10ft – 12ft)



Weight: 3,600kg – 5,400kg (7,900lbs – 12,000lbs)



Top Speed: 40kph (25mph)



Life Span: 60 – 70 years



Habitat: Forest, savannah and flood plains



Conservation Status: Threatened



Est. Population Size: 300,000



Fun Fact: Can drink up to 50 gallons a day!

A buffalo running out of a body of water.
A buffalo can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.

PACO COMO/Shutterstock.com

Name: Buffalo



Scientific Name: Syncerus caffer



Size: 1.7m – 1.8m (67in – 71in)



Weight: 600kg – 907kg (1,323lbs – 2,000lbs)



Top Speed: 35kph (22mph)



Life Span: 15 – 22 years



Habitat: Woodland and grass pastures



Conservation Status: Least Concern



Est. Population Size: 900,000



Fun Fact: Has no real natural predators!

A leopard standing on a tree branch looking attentive.
There are 30 different subspecies of leopard.

Brett Wallington/Shutterstock.com

Name: Leopard



Scientific Name: Panthera pardus



Size: 125cm – 190cm (49in – 75in)



Weight: 28kg – 90kg (62lbs – 198lbs)



Top Speed: 114kph (71mph)



Life Span: 12 – 18 years



Habitat: Dry rugged terrain and open savanna



Conservation Status: Threatened



Est. Population Size: 50,000



Fun Fact: There are 30 different sub-species!

An adult male lion standing on a small hill looking into the sun with shrubs and short trees in the background.
There are estimated to be approximately 23,000 lions left in the world.

2021 Photography/Shutterstock.com

Name: Lion



Scientific Name: Panthera leo



Size: 1.4m – 2.5m (4.7ft – 8.2ft)



Weight: 120kg – 249kg (264lbs – 550lbs)



Top Speed: 56kph (35mph)



Life Span: 10 – 15 years



Habitat: Arid plains and savanna grasslands



Conservation Status: Threatened



Est. Population Size: 23,000



Fun Fact: Lives in small groups called prides!

A white rhinoceros walking in the dirt near a puddle with vegetation in the background.
The white rhinoceros is the second largest land animal.

meunierd/Shutterstock.com

Name: White Rhinoceros



Scientific Name: Ceratotherium simum



Size: 3.4m – 4.2m (11ft – 14ft)



Weight: 1,440kg – 3,600kg (3,168lbs – 7,920lbs)



Top Speed: 42kph (30mph)



Life Span: 45 – 50 years



Habitat: Tropical bushland and savanna grasslands



Conservation Status: Endangered



Est. Population Size: 11,670



Fun Fact: The second largest animal on the land!

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AZ Animals Staff

AZ Animals is a growing team of animals experts, researchers, farmers, conservationists, writers, editors, and — of course — pet owners who have come together to help you better understand the animal kingdom and how we interact.

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More Great Content:
The sun setting in the Serengeti with a large tree in the foreground and several trees in the background.
The “Big Five” refers to the five animals in Africa that were highly sought after by trophy hunters.

dktirol/Shutterstock.com

The term ‘Big Five’ today portrays the beauty and power of some of Africa’s most iconic animals, but it actually has a much darker history. Originally used by hunters who travelled to the African continent, these five animals were the most highly sought after, hunted as trophies to display the exotic nature of the individual’s bravery.

Sadly however, the excessive hunting and poaching of these animals has led to drastic declines in their population numbers, meaning that all but one are now considered at least Threatened or Endangered by the IUCN. Including two of the largest animals found on land anywhere in the world, these five are truly amongst the most spectacular animals on Earth.

A mother and baby African elephant walking through a green field with other grazing animals in the background.
African elephants generally live in forests, savannas, and floodplains in Africa.

FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock.com

Name: African Elephant



Scientific Name: Loxodonta africana africana



Size: 3m – 3.5m (10ft – 12ft)



Weight: 3,600kg – 5,400kg (7,900lbs – 12,000lbs)



Top Speed: 40kph (25mph)



Life Span: 60 – 70 years



Habitat: Forest, savannah and flood plains



Conservation Status: Threatened



Est. Population Size: 300,000



Fun Fact: Can drink up to 50 gallons a day!

A buffalo running out of a body of water.
A buffalo can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.

PACO COMO/Shutterstock.com

Name: Buffalo



Scientific Name: Syncerus caffer



Size: 1.7m – 1.8m (67in – 71in)



Weight: 600kg – 907kg (1,323lbs – 2,000lbs)



Top Speed: 35kph (22mph)



Life Span: 15 – 22 years



Habitat: Woodland and grass pastures



Conservation Status: Least Concern



Est. Population Size: 900,000



Fun Fact: Has no real natural predators!

A leopard standing on a tree branch looking attentive.
There are 30 different subspecies of leopard.

Brett Wallington/Shutterstock.com

Name: Leopard



Scientific Name: Panthera pardus



Size: 125cm – 190cm (49in – 75in)



Weight: 28kg – 90kg (62lbs – 198lbs)



Top Speed: 114kph (71mph)



Life Span: 12 – 18 years



Habitat: Dry rugged terrain and open savanna



Conservation Status: Threatened



Est. Population Size: 50,000



Fun Fact: There are 30 different sub-species!

An adult male lion standing on a small hill looking into the sun with shrubs and short trees in the background.
There are estimated to be approximately 23,000 lions left in the world.

2021 Photography/Shutterstock.com

Name: Lion



Scientific Name: Panthera leo



Size: 1.4m – 2.5m (4.7ft – 8.2ft)



Weight: 120kg – 249kg (264lbs – 550lbs)



Top Speed: 56kph (35mph)



Life Span: 10 – 15 years



Habitat: Arid plains and savanna grasslands



Conservation Status: Threatened



Est. Population Size: 23,000



Fun Fact: Lives in small groups called prides!

A white rhinoceros walking in the dirt near a puddle with vegetation in the background.
The white rhinoceros is the second largest land animal.

meunierd/Shutterstock.com

Name: White Rhinoceros



Scientific Name: Ceratotherium simum



Size: 3.4m – 4.2m (11ft – 14ft)



Weight: 1,440kg – 3,600kg (3,168lbs – 7,920lbs)



Top Speed: 42kph (30mph)



Life Span: 45 – 50 years



Habitat: Tropical bushland and savanna grasslands



Conservation Status: Endangered



Est. Population Size: 11,670



Fun Fact: The second largest animal on the land!

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