# African buffalo (*Syncerus caffer*) The African buffalo is a large, strong animal with big horns. They live in groups called herds and are known for their friendly nature towards each other. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Savannas - **Also known as:** Cape buffalo, Syncerus ![African buffalo](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/African_Buffalo.JPG&width=800) Photo: Paul M Rae, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:African_Buffalo.JPG) ## Appearance The African buffalo is a large, stocky bovine with a dark grey to black coat and very distinctive, bossed horns that fuse at the forehead. Its short, coarse hair and heavy build create a powerful, imposing silhouette. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Syncerus ## Interesting facts - An angry buffalo is considered one of Africa's most dangerous animals! - Buffalo herds have a 'voting' system to decide where to go next! - Their massive, curved horns can span over a meter wide! - They often wallow in mud to cool off and remove pesky insects. ## Special abilities - **Boss Power:** African buffalo has uniquely fused horns, forming a thick 'boss' on their forehead that provides powerful defense against predators. - **Team Defense:** African buffalo can mob predators like lions, working together to chase them away and protect vulnerable calves. - **Water Sense:** African buffalo can locate water sources from afar, which is vital for survival in arid savannah environments. - **River Crossing:** African buffalo can swim powerfully across rivers and lakes, helping them reach new grazing areas and escape danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 170-340 cm - **Weight:** 300-900 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 57 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 330-350 days ## Diet & Feeding These large mammals are plant-eaters, primarily munching on grasses and other vegetation. - **Primary Foods:** grasses, leaves, shrubs - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Lion (*Panthera leo*) — Lions are the primary predators of African buffalo, especially the young or weak. - **Hunts:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Humans hunt African buffalo for meat, hides, and as a trophy animal. - **Symbiotic with:** Cattle Egret (*Ardeola ibis*) — Egrets eat insects disturbed by buffalo grazing or ticks from their hides. - **Parasitizes:** Brown Ear Tick (*Rhipicephalus appendiculatus*) — Ticks attach to buffalo, feeding on their blood and transmitting diseases. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Savanna](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/savanna): This habitat trait denotes species native to savannas, which are grasslands with scattered trees, typically found in tropical or subtropical regions with distinct wet and dry seasons. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. - [Threatened](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/threatened): Threatened status denotes a species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future without effective conservation interventions. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Always keep a safe distance from wild animals like buffaloes and watch them from afar. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify African buffalo? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is African buffalo? 170-340 cm ### How much does African buffalo weigh? 300-900 kg ### How long does African buffalo live? 15-25 years ### How fast can African buffalo move? 57 km/h ### What does African buffalo eat? These large mammals are plant-eaters, primarily munching on grasses and other vegetation. ### Where is African buffalo usually found? Savannas ### How does African buffalo hunt? Grazing ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [African buffalo: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/african-buffalo)