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The Leopard
The Leopard is off-white to golden color and covered in black
spots. Main body marks on its back and sides are a rosette shape
rather than solid spots. Males can weight up to 80kgs.
The leopard, although smaller than the lion, is fiercer, braver,
and extremely intelligent. It has exceptional hearing and good
eyesight and in night, it is very sensitive, extra long whiskers
help it avoid obstacles.
It is a powerful creature capable of swimming across rivers and
jumping up 3m high, carrying prey as heavy as itself. It is a
reclusive creature, nocturnal and solitary. Males will share
their territory with females but will not tolerate other males.
Cubs stay with their mothers for almost two years, their first
hunt with mother starting at around four months of age.
The Elephant
The Elephant is grayish in color and males can weigh up to 6
tons. On land it travels at a speed of about 40km per hour but
due to its size, is unable to jump. Its eyesight is poor but it
has an acute sense of smell. The tusks are used for fighting and
even digging.
 In South Africa, the elephant is confined to game reserves.
Females 'rule the roost' in elephant society where herds are
formed around cows and their offspring. They are sociable
creatures and work together. They help their injured and will
also adopt orphaned calves.As vegetarian, the elephant is generally mild-mannered but is
capable of killing other animals, even hippo, in pursuit of
water.
The Black Rhinoceros
The Black rhinoceros is gray and males weigh up to about 1.8
tons. Their horns are composed of tightly compressed hair-like
fibres attached to their skin. The horns, believed by many to
have aphrodisiac properties has been one of the causes for
wanton slaughtering.
 The black rhino is anti-social and an unpredictable character.
Females have a strong bond with their calves, which they suckle
for about a year. These calves are however, 'out on their ear'
when the next calf is born usually when the current calf is
between 2 and 3 years old.
The Lion
The Lion is generally tan in color and there are also white
lions in existence. Males weigh up to about 200kgs and they are
the largest carnivores in Africa. The lion hangs around in family groups or small bachelor groups
spending the best part of their day, between 15 and 20 hours,
lazing in the sun. Males are the worst for this leaving the hunt
and chase to the females.
Males stake out their territory with a horrendous noise - a roar
that can be heard up to 8km away. When an outsider male takes
over a pride, he promptly kills all the existing cubs and then
sets about starting his own family. The females seem to quickly
get over this and settle down with the new ruler as if nothing
untoward has happened.
The Buffalo
The Buffalo is reddish brown to dark brown or black. Males are
darker and weigh up to about 750kgs. When wounded by its natural enemy, lion or man, it is one of the
most dangerous creatures in the world. They are intelligent and
cunning and in herds, will form a defensive semi-circle, with
males on the perimeter, when threatened by lions. If left alone,
they are inquisitive, placid, and quite happy to stare at you.
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