The Big 5 is a phrase originally used by hunters to refer to the 5 most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt in Africa. Today this phrase is associated with exiting opportunity to see 5 of the most magnificent animals on the planet. They are the African elephant, the lion, the buffalo, the leopard and the rhinoceros.
ELEPHANT – Family Elephantidae
| Weight | 5000 – 6000 kg / 11 000 – 13 200 lbs |
| Height | 300 – 330 cm / 118 – 130 inches |
| Potential lifespan | 60 years |
| Gestation | 22 months |
| Offspring | 1 young at a time, rarely (1% of births) twins |
| Weaning age | 3 - 8 years, just before the birth of the next calf |
RHINOCEROS – Family Rhinocerotidae – Ceratotherium simum Square-lipped / white rhino
| Weight | 2040 – 2260 kg / 4488 – 4972 lbs |
| Height | 171 – 186 cm / 68 – 73 inches |
| Potential lifespan | 40 – 45 years |
| Gestation | 16 months |
| Offspring | 1 calf |
| Weaning age | 12 – 18 months, sometimes as late as 2 years |
LION – Family Felidae – Panthera leo
| Weight | 189 kg / 416 lbs |
| Height | 120 cm / 48 inches |
| Potential lifespan | 11 years |
| Gestation | 110 days |
| Offspring | 1-4 cubs, can be up to 6 |
| Weaning age | starts at 10 weeks, completed by 6 months |
LEOPARD – Family Felidae – Panthera Pardus
| Weight | 35-65 kg / 77-143 lbs |
| Height | 60 – 70 cm / 24 – 28 inches |
| Potential lifespan | 10 years |
| Gestation | 100 days |
| Offspring | usually 2 cubs |
| Weaning age | 6 – 12 weeks |
BUFFALO – Family Bovidae – Subfamily Bovinae
| Weight | 425 – 870 kg / 935 – 1914 lbs |
| Height | 150 – 165 cm / 60-66 inches |
| Potential lifespan | 15 years |
| Gestation | 330 – 346 days |
| Offspring | 1 calf |
| Weaning age | 5 – 15 months, or just before the birth of the next calf |
