Today the term is used almost entirely in the context of wildlife viewing and conservation rather than hunting, but the name has stuck. Ironically, some Big Five animals (like the hippo, which is not on the list) are statistically far more dangerous to humans than several that are.
Source: South African National Parks (SANParks)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Big Five the five largest animals in Africa?
No — the elephant is the largest, but the list is based on hunting difficulty, not size. The hippo and giraffe, both larger or comparable in danger to some Big Five members, are not included.
Are there other 'big' wildlife groupings besides the Big Five?
Yes — terms like the 'Little Five' (elephant shrew, buffalo weaver, leopard tortoise, ant lion and rhinoceros beetle) and the 'Big Seven' (Big Five plus whale and great white shark) have since emerged as playful extensions of the original naming convention.