After the buffalo, the leopard is regarded as Africa’s most dangerous animal. If it senses it is being followed, it may circle back along its own spoor to stalk the tracker — a behaviour that has earned it both fear and respect among hunters and field researchers. For many African tribes, the leopard symbolizes royalty and strength. Cloaks made from its skin are traditionally worn by tribal kings as a mark of leadership.

Graceful yet powerful, the springbok thrives in South Africa’s arid plains. Known for its spectacular “pronking” leaps—stiff-legged jumps that send it bouncing skyward, the antelope reveals a hidden tuft of hair on its back, lifted in moments of rain-soaked joy or courtship displays.

For a deeper dive into the world of rhinos, their evolution, ecology, and the critical conservation challenges they face, check out Deon Furstenburg’s comprehensive article on rhinos on the WRSA Foundation website.

Lions (Panthera leo), the only truly social big cats, evolved in Africa over 3.5 million years ago and today survive as two subspecies—the African lion and the Asiatic lion—roaring across vast territories by night, resting by day, and forging complex pride dynamics under threat from habitat loss and human conflict.

Deon Furstenburg has collated information on elephants (Loxodonta & Elephas) that you can use for homework, projects, or just to read up on.

Deon Furstenburg has collated information on the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) that you can use for homework, projects or just to read up on.

Leopards (Panthera pardus) are solitary, nocturnal big cats renowned for their stealth and strength. Adaptable to nearly every African habitat—from sea level to over 5 000 m and even on the outskirts of major cities—they stalk prey under cover of darkness, then use their powerful muscles to hoist carcasses into trees and avoid scavengers.

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a 200-million-year-old archosaur with seven African subspecies, growing up to 6.1 m and 900 kg, armed with a bone-crushing bite and 64–68 replaceable teeth. Cold-blooded yet four-chambered like birds, it breeds at 10–12 years in sand-mound nests (temperature-determined sex), ambushes fish and larger prey with death rolls, and basks to digest its meals.

Deon Furstenburg has collated information on the The Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) that you can use for homework, projects or just to read up on.