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The African buffalo (Cape subspecies) lives in very large herds in the open plains and wooded grasslands of South Africa. A herd of Cape buffalo is very likely to attack a lion; this is such an effective defensive unit that blind, lame or even three-legged individuals may continue to thrive within it. However, solitary African buffalo bulls often fall victim to lions. Evidently the habit of associating in herds is a vital part of their defense strategy. The alarm call of the Cape buffalo is an explosive snort, quickly followed by the alarm posture in which the head is held high, facing the danger, with the body tensed. The Cape buffalo's alarm call brings the whole herd to the defense of the frightened animal. Animals living in cohesive herds have to coordinate their activities: among Cape buffalo the whole herd may change activity within a few minutes, for example from grazing to lying down. |
The name buffalo generally refers to the Asian water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis, and the African buffalo, Syncerus caffer. Both species have triangular horn cores and other features distinguishing them from other bovids. The name is also, incorrectly, used to refer to the North American Bison.
The Asian water buffalo is found over most of southern Asia. Because it is docile, it has been widely domesticated, and in southern India these huge beasts with massive horns are often seen being led by children. They are widely used as draft animals, especially in rice paddies. The wide hooves, flexible joints, and short legs are adaptations for swimming or walking in mud. Because they have relatively few sweat glands, they spend much time cooling themselves in water.
The African buffalo was widely distributed in Africa south of the Sahara prior to 1890, but the cattle-virus disease called rinderpest spread through the herds and nearly exterminated them. Their original range is now fragmented, and they have been steadily disappearing from most areas of South Africa. Although they occupy diverse habitats, water is a necessity. Hunters' tales at one time indicated that this buffalo was one of the most dangerous of African mammals. Investigators now describe it as a peaceful grazer.
Males join the cow-calf herds during the breeding season. Calving reaches a peak in July after a gestation period of 330 to 346 days--the longest gestation period for any of the cowlike mammals.
Harvey L. Gunderson
Bibliography: Unipub, Buffaloes of China (1976) and The Water Buffalo (1978).
Download a movie clip of the African Buffalo (buffafr.mpg) - 908KB
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