African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) lives in open savanna across Sub-Saharan Africa. It feeds on grasses and leaves. Its conservation status is Near Threatened.
Fascinating facts about the African Buffalo
- Buffalo herds can swell to the size of a small town: on southern and eastern African floodplains the Cape buffalo forms the largest herds of any subspecies, with numbers tending to exceed a thousand individuals. By contrast, forest buffalo travel in groups of just 3-25 animals, while West and Central African herds usually number 45 to 150.
- Female buffalo carry their calves for 340 days before birthing a single calf that weighs roughly 30 kg (66 lb). After birth the newborn nurses from the hindquarters, allowing the mother to keep moving with the herd while still feeding the calf. This long gestation aligns births with the wet season, a key anti-predator strategy for the species.
- Genetic studies reveal two deep-rooted clusters within African buffalo: one containing the Cape buffalo of East and Southern Africa, and a second grouping the West, Central and forest subspecies. Mitochondrial DNA, Y-chromosome data and microsatellite patterns all support this split, which likely arose 130-300 kyr ago during Pleistocene habitat fragmentation. Recognizing these lineages is vital for conserving distinct genetic diversity across the continent.
- Buffalo home ranges are incredibly flexible: some herds occupy as little as 4.6 km² (1.8 sq mi), while others roam up to 350 km² (140 sq mi). Forest buffalo hold the smallest ranges, shifting seasonally between forests in the dry season and marshes in the wet.
- An African buffalo drinks about 45 L (9.9 imp gal; 12 U.S. gal) of water in 48 hours. This extreme thirst drives the species to stay within 20-40 km (12-25 mi) of permanent water sources.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSub-Saharan Africa
HabitatOpen savanna
DietGrasses and leaves
About the African Buffalo
In the scorching savannas of Africa, the majestic buffalo roams, its imposing figure a testament to the unyielding power of the wild. With a deliberate gait, it moves through the grasslands, its shaggy coat and curved horns a formidable defense against the predators that lurk in the shadows, as it forges a path through the dense undergrowth with a quiet confidence. As the sun dips below the horizon, the buffalo's rugged beauty is bathed in a warm, golden light, its very presence a reminder of the awe-inspiring splendor of the natural world.
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African Buffalo photographed on Feravox
