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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Pwanyonyi (talk | contribs) at 10:15, 3 March 2005. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

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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