The African Big Five

Written by Lex Basu
Updated: September 27, 2022
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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!

Summary

Here is a list of the ‘big five’:

NumberName of the Species
1African Elephant
2Buffalo
3Leopard
4Lion
5White Rhinoceros

Next Up…

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Volodymyr Burdiak/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Lex is a green-living, tree-hugging, animal-lover, who at one time was the mother to twenty one felines and one doggo. Now she helps pet owners around the globe be the best caretakers for their most trusting companions by sharing her experience and spreading love.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals