The Big Five Game

The Big Five Animals of Kenya have set the standard for the rest of Kenya’s fauna. They double as the big five of Africa.

Kenya’s big 5 include:

  • The lion
  • The elephant
  • The leopard
  • The rhinoceros
  • The buffalo

Their names have shone brightly in the Big 5 wild game drive and the wildebeest migration of the Maasai Mara Game Reserve. They have taken center stage.

Little Five of Kenya

One of the effects of the big five prominence has been the recognition of the Small or the Little Five of Kenya. The latter include:

  • The coral polyp
  • Mongooses
  • The lizard
  • Termites
  • Squirrels!

The Coral Polyp

The coral polyp, however tiny, is responsible for the legendary coral reefs found under water! Each member of the community of coral polyps draws under water minerals to itself resulting in the constructing of the one of the most spectacular walls exclusively by Mother Nature! It takes years but the result is always worth anyone’s time!

Mongooses

Mongooses are perhaps the most beautiful of the small five of Kenya- the creature can be banded or white tailed! They thrive in grasslands and move in groups. Any moving thing gets their nerves excited making it just as thrilling to watch them in action or in play- often this excitement leads them to the lodges making it easier for anyone interested to observe them!

The Lizard

The lizard is classy- it’s the least that can be said of its habit of gracing rocks in sun- baths! The agama lizard is done justice by this inborn trait seeing as its head is either colored orange or pink with a combination of a blue or green body! For anyone interested in animal photography the lizard is the most photogenic of the small five animals of Kenya.

Termites

Termites and their mounds of sand are a brain- wracking sight! Their commitment, hard work and solidarity in the activities that support their existence don’t leave anything to be desired by an observer! What’s more, termites form a very delicious meal in some communities in Kenya! They can be seen in many national parks in Kenya.

The Squirrel

The squirrel is the last celebrity in this sequel of the small five animals of Kenya. It is just as beautiful as the mongoose and it is harmless- it can be spotted around many of the residential areas of Nairobi. There exist the Red Squirrel of East Africa, the long- tailed sun squirrel and the bush squirrel.

Their Habitats

Spotting any of the small five animals of Kenya is not tasking. The coral polyp can easily be identified through the clear waters of the coast of Kenya, and even while on a whale shark tagging or deep sea diving trip to the coast.
The mongoose and the squirrel can be spotted amongst the bushes in residential areas and in grasslands, the termite at any location endowed with rich soils and the lizard on rocks and walls.

Eager Hosts!

The big five of Kenya birthed curiosity about the small five of Kenya. This has made any such safari package to Kenya even more exciting. Glide the waters for the coral polyp, sweep the grasslands for the squirrel and the mongoose, bask in the sun along with the colorful lizards or take a walk in a bid to identify any mounds of termites! They are there; they are waiting – take a peek into their little lives!