Lion (Panthera leo)
This is the largest of the African predators and has a tawny to sand-brown colour. The maned males are heavier than the females, weighing in at around 200kg and 140kg respectively. Able to exploit a wide range of habitats, lions generally feed on medium to large prey and scavenge frequently.
The gestation period is around 110 days with one to six cubs being born. Cubs are hidden from the pride and other predators for 6 - 8 weeks; weaning starts at around 10 weeks. Male lions will leave the pride aged between 2 and 3 years; the average lifespan of the animal is 7 years.
Leopard (Panthera pardus)
Nicknamed the 'Prince of Predators', this usually solitary cat is a master of stealth. The leopard is stockier than the cheetah, with an unmistakable rosette pattern. As with the lion, male leopards are heavier than females, weighing in at around 60kg and 30kg respectively.
Leopards have the incredible ability to occupy almost any habitat and, in so doing, adapt their diet, eating anything from medium-sized antelope to mice and fish. The gestation period is around 100 days, after which 1 - 6 cubs are born. The young are weaned from 6 - 12 weeks and are usually independent from around 18 months.
Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
This unmistakable giant occurs in large numbers in northern Botswana (unofficial estimates are around 100 000 animals). Bulls can be distinguished from females by size (males are around 1,3 times bigger) and forehead (males have a more rounded forehead). Females also have a pair of mammae between the fore legs.
The gestation period is 22 months, after which normally only 1 calf is born. The newly born elephant weighs about 120kg and typically stands around 90cm to the shoulder. The average life span is 60 years and is often dictated by the diet of the animal. This is due to the fact that the elephant only gets six sets of molar teeth in its life span.
Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
This feline speedster has single spots, a streamlined build and characteristic dark tear marks on the face. The average adult weighs about 40kg to 50kg and stands around 87cm to the shoulder.
The cheetah's gestation period is 90 to 95 days, 1 - 6 young are born and weaning starts from 8 weeks. The young are independent at about 18 months. Typically a daytime hunter, the cheetah relies on speed, reaching about 90 km/h before tripping its prey. Cheetah usually prey on small- to medium-sized antelope on which they can maintain a stranglehold.
Black Rhino (Ceratotherium simum)
These almost prehistoric-looking beasts are no longer found in northern Botswana due to extensive persecution by man. In May 1994, of the 6 750 animals left in Africa only 18 of those remained in Botswana. Although white rhino were more common in the north, their cousins the black rhino also suffered heavy casualties - of the 2 550 odd black rhino left, 4 were located in Botswana.
Extensive operations are underway involving the Botswana Defence Force to halt all poaching activities and also relocate rhino to The Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This safe haven has ensured that the rhino numbers grow and unofficial reports indicate that there may be a chance of their reintroduction in the near future.
Four white rhino have been reintroduced on Chiefs Island, with more possibly to come in 2002. The rhino are under tight surveillance north of Eagle Island Camp.
Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus)
The wild dog can be regarded as one of Africa's most threatened large mammals. Listed as endangered in the Red Data Book, there are probably less than 5 000 of these animals left on the continent. Adult dogs weigh in at around 25 to 30 kilograms. Living in packs, these highly effective predators chase down mostly antelope the size of Kudu.
With typically only one pair in the pack breeding, the gestation of the dogs is around 70 days, with litters of up to 21 puppies being recorded. Pups are weaned at 5 - 10 weeks. However, despite a constant vigil by the adult dogs, predation of the young is high.
Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)
This innocent-looking, charcoal-coloured bovid is regarded by many as the most lethal of the big five. Males weigh around 600kg and females around 500kg. Buffalo are considered unselective grazers and occur in areas with plenty of grass, water and shade.
Their gestation period is between 330 and 340 days, with a single calf being born, usually in summer. Weaned at between 5 to 15 months, calves will associate with their mothers for up to 2 years. Buffalo rate highly on the lion's diet - statistics indicate that up to 40% of lion kills in Savute are buffalo.
