By Moraa Siika

*The Big 5

*Content

Introduction to The Big 5

The Lion

The Leopard

The Elephant

The RhinoThe Big 5

The Buffalo

Lion Picture

Leopard Picture

Elephant Picture Slide 9

Rhino Picture Slide 11

Buffalo Picture

Bibliography

The Big 5 Conclusion

*Introduction to the Big 5

*The Big 5 include The Lion, Leopard, Rhino, African Elephant and Cape Buffalo. These animals are found in Africa. The big five are among the most dangerous, yet most popular species for big game hunters to hunt. The Big 5 are the five most difficult animals to hunt on foot. The Big are endangered animals, although there are other endangered animals in Africa.

*The Lion

*Lions are the second biggest big cat in the cat family. A female lion is a lioness. Lions are skilled hunters. Lions are carnivores. That means, they only eat meat. They hunt Zebras, Gazelles, Buffalos, Wildebeest, Waterbuck and occasionally Elephants. Lions live in prides. The Lionesses hunt. The Lion is the leader of the pride, although, the lionesses hunt for food, maintain the structure and raise the cubs. Lions are endangered. They are one of the animals of The Big 5. When Lions reproduce, they’re reproductions are called cubs.

*The Leopard

*Like the Lion, a Leopard is part of the Big Cat Family. Leopards are solitary hunters. That means they hunt alone. The Leopard is also known as the Prince of Darkness. Leopards are carnivores. They have a rivalry with Lions. Lions kill Leopard cubs. When Leopards reproduce, they’re reproductions are called cubs, like Lions. There are different kinds of Leopards. For Example, the African leopard, Snow Leopard, Black Leopard (Panther) etc

*The Elephant

*The Elephant is the biggest mammal on Earth. It can weigh up to 10,000 kg. The Elephant’s ears are the same shape as Africa. Elephants are hunted for their tusks. There tusks are ivory to make piano keys. Elephants live in herds. There are two types of Elephants… the African Elephant and the Asian Elephant. Elephants have no natural predators, although, Lions sometimes hunt on young or weak elephants. Female elephants are called cows. They start to have calves when they are about 12 years old and they are pregnant for 22 months.

*The Rhino

*The name Rhinoceros means ‘nose horn’ but people shorten it to Rhino. The Rhino has no natural predators. Although, humans hunt Rhinos. There are five different species of rhinoceros. They are the Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Indian Rhinoceros, Javan Rhinoceros and Sumatran Rhinoceros. All five species of rhinoceros can weigh over 1000 kg.

Three of the five rhinoceros species are listed as being critically endangered.

*The Buffalo

*There are two types of buffalo. There is the Cape Buffalo from Africa and the American Bison from America. Buffalos are herbivores. They are preyed on by Lions, Crocodiles and occasionally Leopards, while hunting calves (Buffalo young) Like Elephants, Buffalos live in herds. The African buffaloes may be dangerous several times and they are not domesticated like Asian/water buffalo.

*The Big 5 Conclusion

As we have gone through all the members of the Big 5, we should all remember one thing…. Mother Earth is in the hands of humans. We should look after nature… As a TEAM!

*Bibliography

*Google.com*Google Images*Wikipedia*Wiki.answers.com*www.south-african-lodges.com*www.sciencekids.co.nz*cybersleuth-kids.com