The Big Five animals are a group of large African mammals that are known for their size, strength, and danger. The term "Big Five" originally referred to the five most difficult animals in Africa to hunt on foot, but it is now more widely used by game viewing tourists and safari tour operators. The Big Five animals are:

1. Lion: The largest carnivore in Africa, known for their excessive sleeping during the day, and active hunting during the night.

2. Leopard: Excellent at climbing trees and often safeguard their kill in a tree to prevent lions and hyenas from stealing it. They are also strong swimmers and occasionally eat fish and crabs.

3. Rhinoceros: The most endangered species of the Big Five. Rhino poaching worldwide hit a 15-year high in 2009. The illegal trade is being driven by an Asian demand for horns, made worse by increasingly sophisticated poachers who are now using veterinary drugs, poison, crossbows, and high caliber weapons to kill rhinos.

4. Elephant: The largest land mammal in the world, an adult male elephant can live to 60 years and weigh up to 6,000 kg. They communicate across large distances at a low frequency that cannot be heard by humans.

5. African Buffalo: The only animal among the Big Five that is not on the "endangered" or "threatened" list. The Cape buffalo is considered by many to be the most dangerous of any of the Big Five: buffalos have reportedly been known to ambush and attack humans. Their primary predator is the lion, and they have been observed killing a lion after it has killed a member of the group.

These animals are examples of charismatic megafauna, featuring prominently in popular culture, and are among the most famous of Africas large animals.