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| The '''African Buffalo''' or '''Cape Buffalo''' (''Syncerus caffer'') is a bovid from the family of the ]. It is up to 1.7 meters high, 3.4 meters long, and can reach a weight of 900 kilogramms. | The '''African Buffalo''' or '''Cape Buffalo''' (''Syncerus caffer'') is a bovid from the family of the ]. It is up to 1.7 meters high, 3.4 meters long, and can reach a weight of 900 kilogramms. | ||
| The African buffalo is not closely related to the Asian water buffalo, but its ancestry remains unclear. It is a very powerful creature, demanding respect from even a pride of lions when paths cross. Known as one of the "big five" in Africa, the African Buffalo can be volatile and an extremely formidable beast! | |||
| In Africa, the buffalo is represented by the African or cape buffalo. This bulky animal is one of the most dangerous mammals to be found anywhere. It is said that more big game hunters have been killed by the cape buffalo than by any other African animal. | |||
| Cape buffalo prefer areas of open pasture, close to jungle and swampy ground where they can wallow. | Cape buffalo prefer areas of open pasture, close to jungle and swampy ground where they can wallow. They are found in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa, with a significant seasonal presence in Kenya and Tanzania. | ||
| Other than man, they have few natural predators and are capable of defending themselves against (and sometimes killing) lions, who will attack only old, sick, or immature buffaloes. The leopard is a threat only to newborn calves. | Other than man, they have few natural predators and are capable of defending themselves against (and sometimes killing) lions, who will attack only old, sick, or immature buffaloes. The leopard is a threat only to newborn calves. | ||
| Crossbreeding with domestic cattle has had only limited success, and the African Buffalo remains a wild animal. | |||
| All attempts to turn the cape buffalo into a "useful" animal by crossbreeding it with domestic cattle have so far proved futile. Excessive hunting has reduced wild populations, and much of the buffalo’s habitat has been converted to agricultural use. | |||
| The main herd consists of all sexes and ages, though bachelor groups are also found. Males are recognizable by the thickness of their horns, called 'the Boss'. Bulls mature at 8 years of age. | |||
| Cows first calve at 5 years of age, after a gestation period of 11.5 months. | |||
Revision as of 10:15, 3 March 2005
Template:Taxobox begin Template:Taxobox image Template:Taxobox begin placement Template:Taxobox regnum entry Template:Taxobox phylum entry Template:Taxobox classis entry Template:Taxobox ordo entry Template:Taxobox familia entry Template:Taxobox subfamilia entry Template:Taxobox genus entry Template:Taxobox species entry Template:Taxobox end placement Template:Taxobox section binomial parens Template:Taxobox end The African Buffalo or Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a bovid from the family of the Bovidae. It is up to 1.7 meters high, 3.4 meters long, and can reach a weight of 900 kilogramms.
The African buffalo is not closely related to the Asian water buffalo, but its ancestry remains unclear. It is a very powerful creature, demanding respect from even a pride of lions when paths cross. Known as one of the "big five" in Africa, the African Buffalo can be volatile and an extremely formidable beast!
Cape buffalo prefer areas of open pasture, close to jungle and swampy ground where they can wallow. They are found in Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa, with a significant seasonal presence in Kenya and Tanzania.
Other than man, they have few natural predators and are capable of defending themselves against (and sometimes killing) lions, who will attack only old, sick, or immature buffaloes. The leopard is a threat only to newborn calves. Crossbreeding with domestic cattle has had only limited success, and the African Buffalo remains a wild animal.
The main herd consists of all sexes and ages, though bachelor groups are also found. Males are recognizable by the thickness of their horns, called 'the Boss'. Bulls mature at 8 years of age. Cows first calve at 5 years of age, after a gestation period of 11.5 months.
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