The Kruger National park is known for being the home of the Big 5, an amazing group of animals that tourists try to see to complete their safari experience, but there is also a lesser known group of uglier animals known simply as the Ugly 5.
The Wildebeest
The Wildebeest is the largest member of the Ugly 5, standing at 1.5 m at the shoulder and weighing 250 kg. The Wildebeest has a greyish-silver coat that has dark bands that run vertically down the body. The wildebeest has a beard that hangs from its throat and a long mane that runs down the length of the neck to the midway of the back. Both these iconic features are bluish in colour. Both the males and females have a set of short curved horns, with the male’s being bigger.
The Warthog
The Warthog is a species of pig that has a remarkably ugly face. The warthog stands about 80 cm and weighs about 110 kg. The primary colour of the Warthog is a pale grey colour with reddish-brown coloured hair that runs as a mane down the warthog’s back and chest. The warthog has two hard skin protrusions that extend just below the eyes to the side with another set just before the opening of the mouth. The upper tusks of the warthog curves upwards exceeding the upper portion of the mouth and the lower tusks also grow very long but barely exit the mouth. The warthog has no fur or fur to protect them from the elements.
The Hyena
The Hyena is a large nocturnal predator that has a similar appearance to dogs but are far from related. The largest living Hyena species is the Spotted Hyena, weighing between 45 and 90 kg and standing about 1.6 m at the shoulder. The Hyena has a very compact and muscular frame with its front legs being longer than the hind legs making the Hyena look like it is walking upright. The Hyena has a different coat variety depending on the species, from spots (Spotted), stripes (Striped) and patchy stripes (Brown). There is also a much smaller, less dangerous, member of the Hyena Family called the Aardwolf.
The Marabou Stork
The Marabou Stork is a very strange looking and interesting animal. It has hollow leg and toe bones which is necessary for this large bird to be able to fly. The males can be easily identified as they are the ones with the large air sacks and they are also generally larger than the females. The Marabou Stork is an ugly bird that has a conical beak, bald head, a dull face and its head is littered with red spots. The large air sacks are directly connected to the Stork’s left nostril and It uses the air sack to create a guttural creaking sound during mating season. When threatened, the Marabou stork will clamp its beak down hard making a large clacking sound.
The Vulture
The Vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges for food by scrounging around carcasses. Vultures fall under two categories, the Old-World Vultures and the New World Vultures. Old World Vultures are found on Africa, Asia and Europe while the New World Vultures are only found in South and North America. In General, Vultures have bald heads with a few species having feathers on their heads, devoid of feathers, which may be a form of thermoregulation. When its cold, the vulture will hunch over and tuck in their heads and stretch their necks while opening their wings in the heat.
