Mammal Master Badge

Big 5 Spotter

Lesson 7.2 · The Big 5Outdoor Mission
Kitimu
Kitimu says…Africa has its Big 5 — but what about YOUR area? Every neighbourhood has amazing animals! Choose the 5 most impressive creatures near you and make them famous with fact cards. Think like a wildlife photographer on safari. Let’s go, Cub!
Download the printable workbook (PDF)
Print it, grab a pencil, and take it outside!
🎒 What you need
🌳Garden, park or street
📄5 cards or paper
🎨Coloured pencils
📷Camera (optional)
🧾Your worksheet
✂️Scissors & glue
📌 Your mission
  1. Scout your area. Spend 15 minutes exploring your garden, street or park. Look everywhere — in trees, on the ground, near water, under bushes. Note every animal you see or find evidence of (tracks, sounds, nests, burrows).
  2. Pick your Big 5. Choose the 5 most impressive from your list. They needn’t be big — a spider that builds incredible webs or a gecko that climbs walls is just as awesome as a hawk. What makes each one special?
  3. Create fact cards. Make a card for each. Draw or stick a photo on one side. On the back write: its name, where you found it, one amazing fact, and whether it’s a mammal, bird, reptile or insect.
  4. Give a Wow Score. Rate each animal out of 10. How rare is it? How interesting is its behaviour? How important is it to the ecosystem? Your highest score becomes your Number 1!
  5. Display your collection. Line up your cards from 1 to 5 — your very own Backyard Big 5! Compare with a friend: are any of your Big 5 the same?
Ranger TipReal rangers keep a list of every animal they see. Your Backyard Big 5 is the start of your own wildlife record — keep adding to it!
ChallengeCan you find at least 2 mammals for your Big 5? Cats, dogs, rats, squirrels, bats and mongooses all count!
Download the printable workbook (PDF)
Print it, grab a pencil, and take it outside!
EcoTraining eLearning
Bringing Nature Home
Junior Rangers · Module 7: Mighty Mammals · Mission 7.2