Today we explore one of Africa’s most formidable and awe-inspiring animals: the Cape buffalo. This powerful bovine is not only a member of the prestigious ‘Big Five’ – it is also one of the most dangerous animals on the continent.
The Cape buffalo is the most iconic subspecies of the African buffalo and dominates the savannahs and grasslands of southern and eastern Africa with its enormous size and strength.
Although you are usually calm, you definitely don’t want to encounter a herd, especially if there is an adult bull nearby. Their protective instincts and strength are unparalleled, earning them a reputation as tough and fearless creatures.
Physical Characteristics
Cape buffalos are large, robust animals, easily recognizable by their muscular build and thick, curved horns. An adult Cape buffalo can weigh between 270 and 907 kilograms and be between 1.2 and 1.7 meters tall at the shoulder.
Both male and female Cape buffalo have distinctly shaped horns, which are often sought as trophies by big game hunters. The horns of adult bulls are especially impressive. The base of a bull’s horns fuse in the middle to form a sturdy, helmet-like structure called a ‘boss’ that provides protection and is used for defense and combat.
This buffalo species has a dark, shaggy coat, ranging from dark brown to black, and their wide-set eyes give them a somewhat stern appearance. Even though the buffalos look like domestic cattle, don’t be fooled; they are wild, unpredictable and much more powerful.
Various subspecies
The Cape buffalo is the best-known subspecies of the African buffalo, but other subspecies also exist across the continent.
For example, the forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) is considerably smaller than its Cape cousin and thrives in the dense, moist forests of Central and West Africa. Its compact size and reddish-brown coat make it well suited to navigating thick brush, and it tends to live in smaller, more dispersed herds compared to the larger, more social Cape buffalo.
On the other hand, the West African savanna buffalo (Syncerus caffer brachyceros) inhabits more open landscapes in West Africa. These buffalo are generally smaller and lighter built than Cape buffalo, and they are distinguished by their reddish coat, which allows them to blend in with the savannah grasslands.
Although they share similarities with their Cape counterparts in terms of social behavior, their herds are typically smaller and have adapted to more arid conditions.
Don’t confuse this large bovine with its distant relative, the Asian water buffalo; they are completely separate species.
Social customs
One of the most fascinating things about Cape buffalos is their social structure. They live in large herds that can number in the hundreds, especially during the rainy season when food is plentiful.
The herd provides protection against predators such as lions. When threatened, buffalo form a protective circle around the weaker members, with the adult bulls facing outward to defend the group.
Interestingly, not all buffalo stay with the main herd. Young males often form smaller bachelor groups after being driven out by the dominant bulls. These bachelor groups can be dangerous as the younger bulls tend to be more aggressive and unpredictable.
Diet
Cape buffalo are herbivores that spend most of their day grazing on grass. Their diet consists mainly of tough grasses that many other herbivores find difficult to digest.
Due to their large size, Cape buffalo must consume a significant amount of food – between 6.1 and 17.5 kilograms of grass – to maintain their energy levels.
During the dry season, when grass is scarce, buffalo eat shrubs and other vegetation, although they prefer open grasslands where they can graze freely. Their grazing habits actually help maintain the savanna ecosystem by preventing grasses from becoming overgrown.
Environment
Cape buffalo are mainly found in the savannas and grasslands of southern and eastern Africa, but also in parts of central Africa.
They thrive in areas with plenty of water because they must drink large amounts of water every day to survive. This is why herds are often seen near rivers, lakes or swamps, especially during the dry season.
Cape buffalo are also common in national parks and protected areas, where they are safe from human activities. However, they are not picky about their habitat and can adapt to a variety of environments, including dry plains and swamps, as long as there is enough food and water.
Life cycle
Female Cape buffalos typically give birth to one calf after a gestation period of about 11 months. The calf remains close to its mother for the first year of life and is protected by the herd.
The maternal bond is strong and mothers fiercely protect their young. Calves are weaned after about six months, but remain with the herd until they reach adulthood.
Young males are usually removed from the herd when they are about 3 to 4 years old, and join bachelor groups until they are old enough to challenge dominant bulls for the right to mate.
Cape buffalo can live up to 20 years in the wild, although life can be tough for older buffalo as they are more likely to fall prey to lions, especially if they are weakened by injury or disease.
Conservation status
Cape buffalo, nicknamed “the Black Death” by big game hunters due to their unpredictable nature, are not currently endangered.
In fact, their population is stable in many areas, thanks to their presence in national parks and reserves. However, in some regions their numbers have been affected by habitat loss and diseases spread by domestic livestock.
Efforts to conserve African buffalo focus on protecting their natural habitat and managing tsetse fly populations, which can spread diseases such as human African trypanosomiasis, also known as “sleeping sickness,” to these buffalos.
In areas where conservation is a priority, Cape buffalo continue to play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystems in which they live.
We created this article using AI technology, then made sure it was edited and fact-checked by a HowStuffWorks editor.
Original article: Cape buffalos are intensely protective herbivores
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