Everyone knows the Big Five. The Ugly Five is a lighthearted list of animals that are less glamorous but just as interesting: the spotted hyena, wildebeest, vulture, marabou stork and warthog. They play important roles in the ecosystem, and you are almost certain to see all of them on a Tanzanian safari.
The Ugly Five at a glance
| Animal | Swahili | Role | Where to see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spotted hyena | Fisi | Hunter and scavenger | Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater |
| Wildebeest | Nyumbu | Grazer; drives the migration | Serengeti, Ngorongoro |
| Vulture | Tai | Scavenger; cleans carcasses | Across the northern parks |
| Marabou stork | Korongo | Scavenger | Serengeti, lakes, towns |
| Warthog | Ngiri | Grazer and digger | Everywhere |
Spotted hyena
Hyenas are often seen as scavengers, but spotted hyenas hunt much of their own food, often in groups. Their clans are led by females, which are larger than males. Their “whoop” calls carry for kilometres at night. Their jaws are strong enough to crush bone, so they waste almost nothing. The Ngorongoro Crater has one of the densest hyena populations in Africa.
Wildebeest
With a bearded face, humped shoulders and thin legs, the wildebeest looks put together from spare parts. Yet it is the engine of the Great Migration. Wildebeest grazing shapes the grasslands, their dung feeds the soil, and they are food for lions, hyenas and crocodiles.
Vulture
Several vulture species live in Tanzania, including white-backed, Rüppell’s, lappet-faced and hooded vultures. They find carcasses by sight, and a circle of vultures often leads guides to a kill. Vultures clean up carcasses quickly, which helps limit disease. Many African vultures are now threatened, largely because of poisoning.
Marabou stork
Tall, bald and with a pink throat pouch, the marabou stork is hard to call pretty. It is one of the largest flying birds, with a wingspan of up to around 3 metres. Marabous feed on carrion, fish and small animals, and are often seen alongside vultures at kills.
Warthog
Warthogs have “warts”, which are actually protective pads on the face, and curved tusks. They kneel on their front legs to graze and dig for roots. When running, they hold their tails straight up like an antenna. They reverse into burrows so their tusks face out at any predator.
Why the Ugly Five matter
- Clean-up crew: hyenas, vultures and marabous remove carcasses.
- Grassland shapers: wildebeest and warthogs graze, dig and fertilise.
- Food for predators: wildebeest and warthogs feed lions, leopards and cheetahs.
Where to see all five
The Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater are ideal. During calving season, hyenas and vultures gather around the herds. See Calving Season, Ndutu or Serengeti & Crater. For the other list, read about the Big Five.
Frequently asked questions
The spotted hyena, wildebeest, vulture, marabou stork and warthog. The list was created as a lighthearted answer to the Big Five.
All five are common in the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. Many guests see all of them in a day or two.
They clean up carcasses quickly, which helps limit the spread of disease. Many vulture species in Africa are now threatened.
