Living throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, the African buffalo (or Syncerus caffer caffer) is the largest member of the cow family – bovids – found in the African wild. They are typically between 1.7 and 3.4m in length, measure 1.0 to 1.7m tall, and are identifiable by their distinctive horns, which are broad, curved and unite in a ‘boss’ in the centre of their forehead. The dominant male in a herd will often have the largest horns.
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Syncerus caffer caffer
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african-buffalo
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Animal Facts
The African buffalo is one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, killing 200 people a year.
Unlike other bovid species, the African buffalo is immune to ‘sleeping sickness’; a deadly disease transmitted by the tsetse fly.
African buffalo have excellent memories and have been known to make vengeful attacks against lions and hunters that have targeted their herd in the past, especially if a calf has been injured.
Due to the aggressive nature of the buffalo, all attempts at domestication as a livestock animal have failed.
African buffalo have a symbiotic relationship with a species of bird called the ‘oxpecker’ that removes ticks from their skin.