Cape buffalo

The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) is a large sub-Saharan African bovine. Syncerus caffer caffer, the Cape buffalo, is the typical subspecies, and the largest one, found in Southern and East Africa. S. c. nanus (the forest buffalo) is the smallest subspecies, common in forest areas of Central and West Africa, while S. c. brachyceros is in West Africa and S. c. aequinoctialis is in the savannas of East Africa.

The adult African buffalo’s horns are its characteristic feature: they have fused bases, forming a continuous bone shield across the top of the head referred to as a “boss”. It is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous animals on the African continent, and according to some estimates, it gores, tramples, and kills over 200 people every year.

The African buffalo is not an ancestor of domestic cattle and is only distantly related to other larger bovines. Its unpredictable temperament may have been part of the reason that the African buffalo has never been domesticated, unlike its Asian counterpart, the water buffalo.

The Cape buffalo is a large Africa bovine found in south and east Africa. They can weigh up to 2,000 lbs. and reach a height of 5.5 ft at the shoulder.  Both males and females have horns with the males’ being larger.

Cape buffalo are formidable animals because of their large size, large herds, and large horns. Herds will stick together and may charge as a unit when threatened, a tactic which ensures that predators have difficulty preying on even young and feeble animals.  The species is notoriously ill tempered, and a wounded buffalo is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.  Herds consist of 50-500 animals. Old males may become solitary.

The Cape buffalo’s primary diet is grass.  They give birth to a single calf after a 340-day gestation (~11 months). They can live up to 20 years in the wild; 29 in human care.

Although the Cape buffalo is listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN and is not listed by CITES at this time, hunting by humans for meat and trophies, introduced diseases such as rinderpest, and habitat loss are all threats to the species. The estimated population of Cape buffalo in the wild is thought to be just under one million animals, but as with other large African mammals they are in decline over most of their range.  Buffalo herds can have significant ecological impact on the savanna by their heavy grazing habits, which help convert long grasslands into short grassy environments that support browsing species.

Adult African buffaloes have few non-human predators aside from lions and large crocodiles. As a member of the big five game, the Cape buffalo is a sought-after trophy in hunting.