Elephants are highly social animals and live in family groups, the leader being the oldest and most experienced cow, she is known as the Matriarch. Elephants are not territorial and move around according to seasons and food availability, with decisions being taken by the Matriarch who will use her extensive knowledge from previous seasons. They spend most of there lives feeding as they have a rather inefficient digestive system, Elephants are highly gregarious animals and move around in family groups The leader of each group is normally the oldest and most experienced cow, she is known as the Matriarch. Elepahnts show a high degree of intelligence and emotion. A group may consist of up to 50 elephants, but more one group may move around together making up large numbers in one herd
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Buffalo
Buffaloes are herd animals, the main herd consists of all sexes and ages, but bachelor groups are also found which tend to consist of either old males and young males. The females have their own dominant cow while the males will bow down in hierarchy only to males. Young males normally leave the main herd at about three to four years old, and upon returning to their herd they may or may not remain permanently There will probably be numerous dominant bulls who mate with large herds, with the amount of mating opportunities being dependent on the males status within the herd. The main predators are lions, but 90% of the buffaloes killed are male, usually meaning they are the older buffaloes who have left the herd. Spotted hyenas also hunt buffalo, tending to attack old males or the young. They are bulk grazers and during the luscious summer months the herds may often seperate in smaller units whilst feeding is plentiful
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Leopards
They are normally solitary and are only found with other leopard if they are mating, fighting or have got cubs. The leopard is the most nocturnal of the predators but have been known to make kills in the middle of the day. They rarely drink water, gaining most of there moisture from their kills. Otfen a leopard will take there kill up into a tree and eat it over several days. Especially if the kill is at risk from lions and oher predators or scavengers. Both males and females are territorial They are probably the most powerful of the predators from a power to weight ratio, and are identical in power and shape to a domestic cat! They have incredible camouflage and are known for their tireless patience.
Lion
The animal most often associated with African safaris. They are the only true social cats living in groups known as a pride. The territory is owned by the lioness with the territorial males only protecting the area for approximately three years The females in the pride are all related - mothers, aunts, daughters, grandmothers, granddaughters, cousins and sisters, but they are ruled over by the male. when a new male takes over a pride he will often kill any cubs which he has not sired. The mane on the males is used to increase his size and is for protection against bites and blows delivered during fights, also his front paws are larger than the back paws. Lions can spend as much time as 20 hours per day sleeping, and often hunt at night, but will hunt whenever an opportunity arises. They do scavenge for food as well as hunt. In hunting the majority (often all) is done by the females, although the male will be allowed to eat first. Lions will hunt in the day or in the night and are more active on overcast, cool days Lions will always drink after eating.
Rhinoceros
The White Rhinoceros is a territorial animal, but female territories often overlap and the animals will often move around together. A dominant bull is in charge, but sub dominant bulls may also follow the females. They will often live in just one area for their entire life. The females home ranges are larger than the males' territories. White Rhinoceros young always run in front of their mother, and will stay with stay with the mother until between 2 or 3 years of age. the Rhino has only one predator - MAN, who has almost managed to wipe out the whole species.
