Even the little animals have their kingdom as well and the animals in charge too. These animals are named so because of their similarities with the big five animals. From their body patterns, some resemblance is some physical features just to mention but a few.
LEOPARD TORTOISE
This is the largest of the little five club. They got their name from the unique black and gold markings which roughly resemble the rosette spots of a leopard. They feed on plants, vegetables and fruits.
The leopard tortoise lay 15 to 30 eggs in holes that they dig that take 3-5 months to hatch depending on climate. The temperature also determines the sex of the hatched eggs. In the wilderness they can live up to 75 years and 100 years in captivity.
RHINOCEROUS BEETLE
They belong to the scarab beetle family. They are named so from their body armor and the hooked horn that graces the head of the male rhino. The horns are used in fighting other males during mating season, and for digging. The size of the horn is a good indicator of nutrition and physical health.
Can grow up to 6 inches to 15 cm in length. They feed on fruits, tree barks, sap and vegetable matter. If you happen to see a Rhino beetle keep calm, do not panic or run away, they are completely harmless to humans.
Rhino beetle are the strongest beetle on the planet and can lift something 850 times their own weight. Clearly the size of the body does not determine its strength!
BUFALLO WEAVER
They are three species of buffalo weaver; the white billed, red billed and white headed. Red and white billed varieties have dark bodies while the white headed is white and brown. They are sparrow-like in size and appearance.
The ‘buffalo’ part of their name is derived from its habit of feeding on the insects found on buffalo. They grow up to 9.5 inches\ 24 cm in length. They live on a diet of seeds, fruits and small insects. They live together in noisy colonies, weaving intricate nests from small sticks and dry grass which make them easy to recognize.
ELEPHANT SHREW
The cutest of the little five. A small insect-eating that is among the fastest small mammal reaching up to 17mph/ 28 kmph. It got its name from its elongated nose, thought to resemble an elephant’s trunk. Can grow up to 12 inches\ 30 cm with relatively long legs.
They are shy animals, seldom seen and active during the day. Their little trucks are quite flexible and can be twisted to sniff out insects they flick into their mouths using their tongues. They mark their territories with a strong scent produced by gland under their tail.
Something unexplainable that happens to the female elephant shrew is that they undergo menstrual cycle similar to female humans! I bet you never saw that coming huh.
ANTLION
They are winged insects, smallest member of the little five. When fully grown, they resemble dragonflies. In their larvae stages they are fearsome looking beasts with hairy obese bodies and sharp sickle-shaped jaws thus the name ‘ant lion’ from the king of the jungle, the lion.
They are capable predators also. The ant lion digs tiny crater-shaped holes and ambush their prey by sucking them dry with their hollow jaws.
