The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large bovine.
There are five that are recognized as being valid. Syncerus caffer caffer, the Cape buffalo, is the , and the largest one, found in and . S. c. nanus (the forest buffalo) is the smallest subspecies, common in forest areas.
The adult African buffalo's horns are its characteristic feature: they have fused bases, forming a continuous bone shield across the top of the head, referred to as a "boss".
The African buffalo is more closely related to other buffalo species than it is to other bovids such as wild yak or domestic cattle, with its closest living relative being the Asian Water Buffalo.
Its unpredictable temperament may be part of the reason that the African buffalo has never been , which would also explain why the African buffalo has no domesticated descendants, unlike the and which are the ancestors of the and . Natural predators of adult African buffaloes include African Wild Dogs, Spotted Hyenas, Lions, And Nile Crocodiles. As one of the animals, the Cape buffalo is a sought-after trophy in hunting.
When chased by predators, a herd sticks close together and makes it hard for the predators to pick off one member. Calves are gathered in the middle. A buffalo herd responds to the distress call of a threatened member and tries to rescue it.
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Animals On Earth: Africa
DiversosHere's the second book of the Animals On Earth Series, this time it's about African Animals which includes the likes of Elephants, crocodiles, lions, meerkats, mongooses, warthogs, caracals, cheetahs, ostritches, rhinos, tick-birds, buffalo, gazzele...
