Bison

Bison can move at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and cover long distances at a lumbering gallop. Bison, also known as buffalo, are large strong animals. Despite their size, they produce a lean and tender meat that is low in both calories and cholesterol. Bison meat is handled as little as possible and is not contaminated with growth hormones or other drugs. Bison meat can be used in the same way that beef is used; ground or cut into steaks or roasts. Regardless of the cut, meat should be cooked on low heat due to the lack of fat.

Did You Know?
Several American coins feature the bison, perhaps most famously on the reverse side of the "buffalo nickel" from 1913 to 1938.

Blesbok

The Blesbuck or Blesbok is a purplish antelope with a distinctive white face and forehead. Its white face is the origin of its name, because bles is the Afrikaans word for blaze. Blesbok can be found in the open plains of South Africa. Their preferred habitat is open grasslands with water.

Did You Know?
Blesbok were first discovered in the 17th-century, in numbers so numerous that herds reached from horizon to horizon.

Camel

Concentrating body fat in their humps minimizes heat-trapping insulation throughout the rest of their body, which may be an adaptation to living in hot climates. A camel's thick coat reflects sunlight, and also insulates it from the intense heat radiated from desert sand. A shorn camel has to sweat 50% more to avoid overheating. Their long legs help by keeping them further from the hot ground. Their mouth is very sturdy, able to chew thorny desert plants. Long eyelashes and ear hairs, together with sealable nostrils, form a barrier against sand. Their gait and their widened feet help them move without sinking into the sand.

Did You Know?
Camels do not store water in their humps as is commonly believed. The humps are actually a reservoir of fatty tissue.

Crocodile

The word crocodile comes from the Ancient Greek crocodilos meaning lizard. The crocodile's bite force is more than 5,000 pounds per square inch, compared to just 400 pounds per square inch for a large great white shark .Crocodiles are more closely related to birds and dinosaurs than to most animals classified as reptiles. Crocodiles can reach land speeds of around 7 mph when they "belly run".

Did You Know?
They are believed to be 200 million years old whereas dinosaurs became extinct 65 million years ago; crocodiles survived great extinction events.

Impala

The name impala comes from the Zulu language meaning "Gazelle". Impala are active during both day and night and are dependent on water. A herd is normally an indicator of water close by.

Did You Know?
Impala can jump distances more than 10 meters (33 ft) and 3 meters (9 ft) high. They can also reach running speeds of approximately 50 to 56 mph

Kangaroo

The kangaroo is a national symbol of Australia; its emblem is used on the Australian coat of arms. Male kangaroos are called bucks, boomers, jacks, or old men. Females are does, flyers, or jills. The collective noun for kangaroos is a mob, troop, or court. Kangaroos are shy and retiring by nature, and in normal circumstances present no threat to humans.

Did You Know?
Male kangaroos often "box" amongst each other, playfully, for dominance or in competition for mates. The dexterity of their forepaws is used in both punching and grappling with the foe, but the real danger lies in a serious kick with the hind leg.

Kudu

Kudu meat is similar to venison, with a slight gamey/liver like flavour. It is a very dry and lean meat, so when cooked, it needs to be done carefully so as not to dry out the meat and make it difficult to eat. When prepared correctly, it can be very healthy because of its low fat content. Kudus are browsers and eat leaves and shoots. In dry seasons, they eat wild watermelons and other fruit for the liquid and natural sugars they provide.

Did You Know?
Kudu dominance displays tend not to last long and are generally fairly peaceful, consisting of one male making himself look big by making his hair stand on end. When males do have a face-off, they will lock their horns in a competition to determine the stronger puller.

Moose

The Moose (North America) or Common European Elk (Europe) is the largest species in the deer family. Moose is both singular and plural unlike goose, for which the plural is geese.

Did You Know?
In 2008, two moose were reintroduced into the Scottish Highlands. There are plans for dozens more of the animals to be shipped to Scotland by 2010.

Oryx

All Oryx species prefer near-desert conditions and can survive without water for long periods. They live in herds of up to 600 animals. Newborn calves are able to run with the herd immediately after birth.

Did You Know?
Oryx horns are lethal?they have even been known to kill lions with them?and Oryx?s are thus sometimes called the sabre antelope.

Ostrich

The Ostrich is the largest living species of bird and lays the largest egg of any living bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at maximum speeds of about 45 mph. Ostrich meat tastes similar to lean beef and is low in fat and cholesterol, as well as high in calcium, protein and iron. Uncooked, it is dark red or cherry red, a little darker than beef.

Did You Know?
In some countries, people race each other on the back of Ostriches. The practice is common in Africa and is relatively unusual elsewhere. The Ostriches are ridden in the same way as horses with special saddles, reins, and bits.

Reindeer

The reindeer travels the furthest of any terrestrial mammal, travelling up to 3,100 miles a year.  Reindeer meat is popular in the Scandinavian countries. Reindeer meatballs are sold canned. Sautéed reindeer is the best-known dish in Lapland. Reindeer meat is very tender and lean.

Did You Know?
A reindeer can swim easily and quickly, normally at 4.0 mph but if necessary at 6.2 mph and migrating herds will not hesitate to swim across a large lake or broad river.

Springbok

The Springbok is currently the national animal of South Africa. Springbok inhabit the dry inland areas of south and south western Africa. Their range extends from the north western part of South Africa through the Kalahari Desert into Namibia and Botswana.

Did You Know?
Springbok can reach running speeds of up to 50 to 56 mph. They can leap 3.50 m and can long jump up to 15 m.

Wild Boar

Wild Boar is the wild ancestor of the domestic pig. They are also known by various names, including wild hogs or simply boars. In America they are often referred to as razorbacks, pineywoods, rooters and European boars.

Did You Know?
The hair of the boar was often used for the production of the toothbrush until the invention of synthetic materials in the 1930s.

Wildebeest

Wildebeest is Dutch for "wild beast". Wildebeest are well known for their annual migration to new pastures. Many wildlife documentaries have featured this event, in which vast numbers of wildebeest can be seen crossing rivers, such as the Mara River. Wildebeest have an apparent maximum running speed of around 40 mph.

Did You Know?
The wildebeest is one of the few African antelopes to have extended its range in the last 50 years. They numbered about 250,000 in 1960 and are thought to number 1.5 million today.

Zebra

The name "zebra" comes from the Old Portuguese word zebra which means "wild ass". It was previously believed that zebras were white animals with black stripes since some zebras have white underbellies. However evidence shows that the animal's background colour is dark and the white stripes and bellies are additions. It has been suggested that the stripes serve as visual cues and identification, with each striping pattern unique to each individual.

Zebra
Romans called Grevy's zebras 'hippotigris' and trained them to pull two-wheeled carts for exhibitions in circuses.