By Bwalya Kampamba –
The African Elephant (Loxodonta africanas): This is a large herbivore with thick almost hairless skin, a long flexible prehensile trunk, upper incisors forming long curved tusks of ivory and large, fun shaped ears. Elephants are difficult because dispite their large size, they are able to hide in tall grasses. There are two distinct species of African elephants: African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) and the African bush elephant (Loxodonta Africana).
The Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)
The rhinoceros is a large, thick-skinned herbivore having one or two upright horns on the nasal bridge. Rhinoceros may refer to either black or white rhinoceros depending on the shape of the mouth. Black rhinos are browsers while white rhinos are grazers. They are listed as critically endangered due to them being often hunted and currently Zambia only has 29 rhinoceros currently.
The Africa/Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
These are large horned bovids that resemble cattle. Buffalos have on many occasions been reported to kill more people in Africa than any other animal and the most people killed in this case are hunters hence it is considered the most dangerous of the big five.
The Lion (Panthera leo)
The lion is a large carnivorous feline of Africa and northwest India, having a short, tawny coat, a tufted tail and in males, a heavy mane around the neck and shoulders. Lions are desirable to hunters because of the very real danger involved. A lion may attack without provocation, and is considered by many to be the best of the big five. Lion hunting is challenging because of the habitat and temperament of the lion. They live in the savannah where tall grasses, shrubs and bushes obscure them and provide cover and camouflage. This thick under growth is commonly refered to as jess.
The African Leopard (Panthera pardus)
The leopard is a large carnivorous feline having either tawny fur with dark rosette-like markings or black fur. Of the big five, it is the most difficult to acquire hunting licences for. The leopard is considered the most difficult of the big five to hunt because of their nocturnal and secretive nature. They are wary of humans and will take flight in the face of danger. The leopard is solitary by nature and is most active between sunrise and sunset, although it may hunt during the day in some areas. Leopards can be found in the savanna grasslands. Bush land and forested areas off Africa.
THE SMALL FIVE
The Elephant Shrew (Elephantulus myurus)
The Elephant shrew is an insectivore that lives in arid lowlands, rocky outcrops and savannah grasslands. Elephant shrews are named for their elongated snouts. They grow up to a length of 250mm, with an average weight of 60 grams. Elephant shrews feed on insects, fruits, seeds and nuts. In part due to their small size, and the fact that they are considered a scrumptious treat by snakes and raptors. Chances of spotting elephant shrews are slim because they are very shy and wary animals.
The Rhinoceros beetle (Scrabaeinea dynastinae)
The rhinoceros beetle has formidable “horns” on its head. The male are generally more aggressive than the female but both have horns. The horns are used to dig, climb and mate. The larval stage of the Rhino Beetle’s life cycle can be very long and is very time consuming. If you happen to come across an adult male beetle, give it the respect it deserves. This giant of the insect world has come a long way.
The Buffalo Weaver (Bubarlornis niger)
The buffalo weaver are social birds that build their nests in the fork brunches of trees, and are a rather busy and noisy bunch. Their tendencies for creating huge nests from course grasses and untidy twig structures often alert you to their presence before you even hear them happily and noisily going about their business.
The Ant Lion (Myrmeleontidea)
The ant lion is a not too often seen familiar feature in the bushveld. They dig funnel shaped holes in soft, dry sand. These ‘funnels’  helps the ant lion trap unsuspecting ants stumbling into the holes. In the advanced stages of an ant Lions life cycle, they boast wings and resembles a dragon fly, albeit with serious problems at taking flight. The Ant Lions in the little funnel holes are infact Ant Lion larvae, which digs itself into the earth in search fo dry, warm spots.
The Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone paradalis)
The Leopard Tortoise is definitely not the fastest animal on land and is certainly a fashionable creature. Sporting a striking black and yellow spotted exterior shell, the leopard tortoise is one of the largest breads of tortoise in the southern part of Africa. A mature leopard tortoise can weight over 23 kilograms with a shell circumference of up to one meter. As with most animal species the leopard tortoise males are larger than the females
THE UGLY FIVE
Hyenas are primarily nocturnal animals, and a unique and vital component to most African ecosystems. Although long reputed to be cowardly scavengers, Hyenas kill as much as 95 per cent of the food they eat. Generally not gregarious animals, hyenas sometimes live in family groups and congregate at kills.
The Marabou Stock (Leptoptilos crumeniferous)
The Marabou stock is a large wading bird that weighs in as up to 9 Kg. It lives in both wet and arid African Habitants, often near human habitation, especially waste tips. The marabou stock is sometimes called the ‘undertaker bird’ because of its shape from behind: cloak like wings and back, skinny white legs, and sometimes a large white mass of hair.
The Vulture (Aegypuius monachus)
Vultures are found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica. They are scavenging birds, feeding mostly from carcases of dead animals which they find by sight. A particular characteristic of many vultures is a bald head, devoid of feathers which helps to keep the head clean when feeding.
The Wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou)
The Wildebeest is the most abundant big game species both in population and in biomass. They have an average life span of 20 years but can live more than 40 years. The wildebeests have a broad muzzle shaped like a lawnmower which helps it with eating short grass and inhabit the plains and open woodlands of Africa.
The Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus)
The warthog is a wild member of the pig family that lives in grasslands, savannah and woodlands in sub Saharan Africa (which includes Zambia). The head is too large for its body, its face is flat and its snout is extended. The name comes from the four large wart-like protrusions on its head which serves as a fat reserve and are used for defence when males fight.
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