Ages 4–6Thursday, 8 October 2026

South African animals of the bushveld

Big Animals of the Bushveld

Meet tall giraffes, fan-flapping elephants, stripy zebras and very sleepy lions in South Africa's bushveld.

Play

0:00−1:54

The facts

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1. Giraffes are the tallest land animals.

   Source

   • Giraffe — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (opens in a new tab)

2. A giraffe's tongue is about 46 centimetres long.

   Source

   • Giraffe — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (opens in a new tab)

3. Elephants flap their big ears to cool down on hot days.

   Source

   • Elephant — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (opens in a new tab)

4. Every zebra has its own stripe pattern; no two zebras are alike.

   Source

   • Zebra — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (opens in a new tab)

5. Lions can rest and sleep for up to 21 hours a day.

   Source

   • Lion — San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (opens in a new tab)