The African buffalo is a huge, heavily built, cattle-like animal, with short sturdy limbs and a broad chest. Bulls are usually dark brown to black in colour, while the cows are a lighter shade. The average shoulder height is 1.4m and can grow up to 1.7m. The males weigh an average of 700kg while the females are slightly lighter, weighing an average of 550kg.
African buffaloes are strong and imposing animals of the African savanna, but today few populations exist outside the confines of national parks. Females form protective herds of 1,000 individuals whilst males are mostly solitary. These formidable grazers are the only wild cattle species, and bonds between females are strong. If one individual is under attack from a predator, the herd will rush to the victim’s defense, and a herd is easily capable of driving away an entire pride of lions.
Buffalo are often seen drinking in the early mornings or late afternoons, and they spend the heat of the day seeking out shade. Feeding mostly takes place at night.
The buffalo can reach speeds of around 56km per hour and can therefore outrun a lion, however they are slow starters and this is why they are often easy prey for lions. They are nevertheless quick tempered and dangerous, deserving of their status as one of Africa’s “Big Five” in the wildlife kingdom.
Buffaloes are predominantly bulk grazers with their main diet as grass but at times leaves and buds. A herd can move a distance of 7 to 17km a day and graze for up to 10 hours. They prefer open areas and need water every day. The buffalo uses many different sounds in different situations to communicate. Low-pitched bellows signal the herd to move on, while a prolonged call from a number of buffalo indicates that they are on their way to water.
While grazing, a series of sounds like short lowing, growling and rumbling can be heard, to keep the herd moving in the right direction.
The life expectancy of buffaloes is 23-25 years.
