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African buffalo Facts

African buffalo Facts
African buffalo is the only species of wild cattle that can be found in Africa. It is also known as Cape buffalo, forest buffalo and savanna buffalo. African buffalo inhabits sub-Saharan parts of Africa. There are four subspecies of African buffalo that differs in color, size and type of habitat where they can be found. African buffalo lives in open woodlands, savannas, forests, and lowland rainforests. Since African buffalo depends on water, it requires habitats that receive at least 10 inches of rain per year. African buffalo is sensitive to habitat loss, hunt and diseases (induced by rinderpest virus), but it is not endangered.
Interesting African buffalo Facts:
African buffalo is large animal that can reach 6.8 to 11 feet in length, 3.2 to 5.6 feet in height and weight between 660 and 1900 pounds.
African buffalo has large head, broad chest and strong legs. It is four times stronger than ox.
Body of African buffalo is covered with hair that can be brownish to black in color.
Horns of African buffalo are shaped like question marks. Males have longer and thicker horns.
African buffalo is a grazer. It feed mainly on the grass. When the grass sources are scarce, it may eat shrubs and trees.
African buffalos live in large herds that sometimes include thousand animals. Usually, herds are smaller, with up to 12 animals on average.
Herds usually consist of females, their offspring and one or more males. Males that are not part of the herd can form bachelor herds, or live a solitary life.
Solitary animals are easy target of lions, which are their natural enemies.
Life in herd ensures certain advantages. Animals are well informed about the best feeding areas and sources of water. Besides that, they are protected against the predators.
When faced with predators, animals of the herd form a circle around the young, old or weak animals, exposing their large and sharp horns toward the predators. This barrier is very effective and prevents predators to reach the animals that are not strong enough to fight.
African buffalo is well known for its exceptional memory. It will recognize a person (such as hunters) that hurt it in the past and it will attack it at their next encounter. Same is with lions. They will "preventively" kill cubs of lions that are known attackers of the herd.
African buffalo has poor eyesight and sense of hearing, but their sense of smell is excellent.
Mating season of African buffalo takes place between March and May. Pregnancy lasts 11 and half months and ends with one baby (calf).
Bond between mother and calf is very strong. Calf is completely dependent on its mother during the period of suckling, which lasts one year.
Average lifespan of the African buffalo in the wild is 20 years.


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