African buffaloes: description, varieties

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:46

African buffalo are on the list of the most dangerous animals in Africa. At first glance, these animals are completely harmless, but if we turn to statistics, then on the African continent more people died due to the fault of buffaloes than from all predatory cats combined. In this list, buffaloes are second only to hippos and Nile crocodiles.

Black African buffalo description

Buffaloes are very large, at the withers their height reaches 1.5-1.8 meters with a body length of 3-3.5 meters. The tail is about 80-100 cm long. The body is stocky, the legs are short and strong, the head seems to be lowered all the time, as it is below the straight line of the back.

The front part is noticeably more powerful than the back, because of this, the front hooves are also noticeably wider than the rear. Nature took care in this way that the legs could withstand the enormous weight of the body. The weight of adult animals can be from 500 to 900 kg. How much does an African buffalo weigh if it is the largest representative of the species? The answer to this question is simply amazing: the weight of such an animal can be more than 1000 kg! Males are much larger than females.

The coat color depends on the buffalo subspecies. The South African representatives of this genus are black in color, as they grow older, it changes to dark brown. Old animals are noticeable by white circles under the eyes. The females are dark brown. These animals are considered the largest of this species, they are also called Cape buffaloes. Other subspecies are smaller and have reddish-brown coats. The central inhabitants of the continent are completely black.

The horns of the African buffalo deserve special attention, they are very unusual. At the very base, they are fused and represent a solid bone shield that can withstand even a shot, since the bullet simply bounces off it. The shape of the horns is quite peculiar and beautiful. From the base, they go down and to the sides, then make a smooth bend and rise up. The distance between the tips of the horns is about one meter. In females, they are much smaller and not fused together.

Habitat

African buffaloes belong to the bovid family and form five subspecies. These animals live both in open savannahs and in dense forests. They can also wander to a height of up to 3000 meters into the mountains. But if we consider the main habitat, then the largest concentrations of buffalo are observed in the savannah, where there is grassy soil and water. Huge herds of buffalo in the expanse of Africa grazed two centuries ago, now their population has been greatly reduced. Animals are under human protection, live in nature reserves and protected areas.

Wildlifestyle

African buffalo live bigherds of several hundred animals. Such a huge family includes males, females and cubs. Sexually mature buffaloes can, having separated from their native herd, create their own. Old males become very angry and harmful, after 10-12 years of life in the herd, they often separate and lead a solitary lifestyle.

Without water, horned beauties cannot hold out for a long time, so they do not go far from water bodies. An adult buffalo can drink up to fifty liters of water. They feed on plant foods, their main food is fiber-rich grass. They graze at night, under the scorching sun in the daytime they prefer to lie down in the shade. In any case and at any time, the herd of buffalo posts guards so that when danger approaches, the animals can organize defense or run away.

African heroes can reach speeds of up to 55-60 km/h. They are also good swimmers, but they do not like to swim, they feel less confident in the water. Defending themselves and attacking enemies, older males form a semicircle, behind them are young animals.

Reproduction

The mating season of buffaloes falls on the spring months. Males fight for a female ready for mating, the strongest wins. “Men” fight without sparing themselves, even pieces of horns fly off from strong blows. So young and too old contenders for a lady almost never manage to win.

After 10-11 months, before the start of a new mating season, females leaveherds to secluded places to safely produce offspring.

After being born, the calf, carefully licked, after 15-20 minutes, follows the mother into the herd. It is difficult to call a newborn buffalo a baby, since it is born weighing about 50 kilograms. The cubs of these giants grow rapidly and gain weight; for the first 30 days of life, the suckling drinks 5 liters of milk every day. In the second month, the young begin to graze, but calves drink milk until they are six months old.

African Pygmy Buffalo

Talking about these majestic animals, I would like to talk about such a variety as the pygmy African buffalo. Another name is also known - red or forest mini-buffalo. It is the smallest of all species.

With growth at the withers a little more than a meter, a dwarf representative of the genus weighs about 250-280 kg. The wool of animals is red in color, because of this they got their second name - red. Tassels of fluffy fur are visible near the ears. The horns of the mini buffalo point up and back. The most terrible natural enemy for them is the leopard.

Interesting buffalo facts

African buffalo represent the power and wild pristineness of the savannah. They, like mighty idols, roam the expanses of Africa, causing admiration and respect. After all, these animals, unlike some people, will never leave their fellow tribesman in trouble. Rushing to help the victim, they are not even afraid of lions. Consider some more interesting details from lifebuffaloes.

• Rushing at the enemy, the buffalo uses horns as a weapon, with which it can easily rip open the belly even of a huge lion. After the enemy is knocked to the ground, the powerful animal will stomp on the victim for 1-2 hours, until only a solid blood stain remains.

• The female buffalo protects her cub even at the cost of her life. If a small calf is in danger from a predator, then the whole herd, led by huge old males, will instantly defend it.• African buffaloes suffer greatly from small blood-sucking parasites. The thick skin of animals does not save them from ticks and gadflies. They are rescued in such a disaster by birds, which are called drags, or buffaloes. Birds sit on the backs of animals and peck out all the parasites.