African buffalo

The African buffalo also known as Syncerus caffer is a large sub Saharan African bovine. It is also recognised as one of the big five animals. African buffalo is unpredictable temperament so the reason why it can’t be domesticated. Our main focus will be on the Cape buffalo and we will basically look at its characteristics as follows;

Cape buffalo is large, dark brown to black hoofed mammal with large curved horns and fringed ears. Males are abit stronger than females and weigh between 1600-2200 pounds while females weigh between 1000-1500pounds.

They form herds sometimes while grazing and they are able to defend themselves once they are attacked by predators. In most cases, these buffaloes once threatened by predators form a circle and position their young ones in the center as away of protection against attackers.

Buffalo are subjected to habitat loss due to the fact that human activities have increased for example agriculture, deforestation, urban development like industrial development. This has led to destruction of migration patterns and loss of access to grounds for grazing as well as loss to water access.

In times where they are chased by predators, herds of buffalo stick together and gather calves in the middle hence no access. Buffalo gestation period is 11.5 months and once they have given birth, calves are hidden in the vegetation for the first weeks as they are nursed by their mothers.