Are you sick of consistently seeking for the “Big 5”? Consider creating a different kind of wildlife spotting bucket list. The “Big Five” are well-known to many wildlife enthusiasts, but did you know that Africa also boasts a collection of creatures known as the “Little Five”? The rhino beetle, buffalo weaver, ant lion, leopard tortoise, and elephant shrew are just a few of the individuals who go by their considerably more spectacular namesakes.
Small, insect-eating elephant shrews can be found in woods, savannah grasslands, and dry lowlands. It is distinguished by an extended snout and a body that resembles a mouse. Due to their extraordinary shyness and wariness, elephant shrews, which are becoming native to the African continent, are rarely observed.
Ant Lion
The frightening cats that stalk the reserve in prides are nothing like the ant lions. Ant Lions are little, aggressive insects that have a unique method of grabbing their prey. Ant lions wait for their food, particularly ants, by digging tiny funnel-shaped sand traps approximately 2 inches deep in dry, sunny areas. They cannot climb out after they have fallen in.
Leopard Tortoise
Because of the distinctive spot pattern on their shell that mimics the rosettes of the elegant leopards, leopard tortoises got their name. The Leopard Tortoise can retract its head, tail, and legs within its shell for protection, just like other tortoise species can. Herbivorous leopard tortoises inhabit savannah areas in East and Southern Africa.
Buffalo weaver
Buffalo weavers are social birds that construct enormous, messy, and seemingly unorganized communal nests out of twigs and scratchy grasses. These birds typically inhabit scanty forests and dry savannahs. Their main food sources are fruits, seeds, and insects. On Basecamp Masai Mara’s camp bird walk, you might have a chance to see them.
Rhino Beetle
The rhino beetle is a very huge, frightening-appearing, innocuous horned insect that resembles a full-grown rhinoceros quite a bit. Both sexes have horns, however only the males are noted for acting aggressively and utilizing the horns to defend themselves against rivals. Additionally, rhinoceros beetles use their horns for mating, climbing, and digging.
