). They instead spend most of their time in clearings, grazing on grasses and sedges. A Cape buffalo, a subspecies of African buffalo, grazes in Kenya's Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with a red-billed oxpecker on its back. Life span. African buffalo are very dependent on water and can consume 35 liters of water at a time just in few minutes. [31] African buffaloes mate and give birth only during the rainy seasons. As a member of the big five game, the Cape buffalo is a sought-after trophy in hunting. It lives in savannas, swamps and floodplains, as well as mopane grasslands, and the forests of the major mountains of Africa. African buffalo are polygynandrous (promiscuous) meaning that both males and females mate with multiple partners. Herds are usually made up of family members, including related females and their offspring. African Wild Dogs hunt as a group and will chase a buffalo calf until one of them catches it with their teeth. They feed on a wide variety of grasses, sedges, leaves, and other plants. African buffalo can outrun lions by about 10 km per hour so, to be successful, lions must ambush them from a close distance. These 6 Viking myths are compelling, but are they true? They inhabit a wide range of habitats, including semi-arid bushland and montane grasslands to coastal savannas and lowland rainforests as long as they are close to a water source. Because they are so strong, have such large horns and are so fast, you wont have much luck trying to get away unscathed from one if it is chasing you. Unauthorized use is prohibited. A buffalo is a mammal that resemble cattle such as cows. The Cape buffalo is found inSouth Africaand East Africa. They may also be eaten by largecrocodiles. Older male buffalo, though, often strike out in smaller clusters or on their own. Buffalos dont have any of these features, but the biggest distinguishing feature is a beard, or lack thereof. They are cyclical grazers, meaning they return to the same areas to graze again once the vegetation has grown enough. Aside from humans, African buffalo have very few natural predators. Buffalo Diet. Like cows, buffalo chew cud to further extract nutrients. Outside national parks, these giants are considered crop pests and are seen as dangerous animals due to their size, aggressive nature, and formidable horns. This decision is communal and not based on hierarchy or dominance.[24]. The horns form fully when the animal reaches the age of 5 or 6 years old, but the bosses do not become "hard" until it reaches the age of 8 to 9 years old. Buffalos live in several different habitats in different continents around the world depending on what species they are. African buffalos live in large herds that sometimes include thousand animals. [25] A calf's distress call gets the attention of not only the mother, but also the herd. Savanna buffaloes are huge, hefty creatures that resemble cows. When sparring, the bulls twist their horns from side to side. African Buffalo: Facts, Size, Lifespan, Diet, and Habitats. No, not all buffaloes have horns. This subspecies is sometimes considered to be the same as the Sudan buffalo. Buffalo are often pictured covered in mud with a bird on their back. These buffalo generally prefer grasses with a higher leaf to stem ratio. The horns are formidable weapons against predators and are used when jostling for space within the herd; males use the horns in fights for dominance. The mud helps buffalo get rid of ticks and parasites that latch onto their skin. African buffaloes make various vocalizations. Fortunately, the species have since recovered, but they are still at risk from other factors. As a result . If the sparring is for play, the bull may rub his opponent's face and body during the sparring session. Buffaloes are herbivores - meaning they have a plant-based diet - and eat different foods depending on the seasons. Buffaloes can live in various habitats, including grasslands, savannas, woodlands, and forests. Congregating in large herds is one of their many anti-predator adaptations. They feed on a wide variety of grasses, sedges, leaves, and other plants. Hello, This is Sharon - Kabira Safaris Tour Consultant. When being aggressive, they make explosive grunts that may last long or turn into a rumbling growl. American buffalo eat various plants, including grasses, shrubs, roots, and tubers. The difference between buffalo and cows is that buffaloes are larger than cows. They also eat browse, the leaves and twigs of woody plants. The Sudan buffalo is found in West Africa and is an intermediate between the first two subspecies. 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". They also eat cud or bolus to ensure they are getting all the nutrients from their food. A bird will often fly in and perch on their mud-covered backs, then use its beak to pick off any lice, fleas, ticks, or other parasites from the buffalos fur. African buffalo is a grazer. Another similar animal is the bison. Weight is not the only differentiation, however; this subspecies has a reddish-brown hide that is darker in the facial area. African buffalo are very dangerous to humans. Congregating in large herds is one of their many anti-predator adaptations. This is because the larger the herd is, the safer the buffalos are. African forest buffalo are relatively unaffected by seasonal cycles. What Do Unicorns Eat: A Guide to the Magical Diet of Unicorns, Browse (leaves and twigs of woody plants). In the past, they suffered their most dramatic population decline during the great rinderpest epidemic of the 1890s. They give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of 11.5 months. The gestation period for the African buffalos is around 11.5 months. This helps protect them from predators and allows the calves to be raised in a safe environment. "[1], In the most recent and available census data at continental scale, the total estimated numbers of the three savanna-type African buffalo subspecies (S. c. caffer, S. c. brachyceros and S. c. aequinoctialis) are at 513,000 individuals. Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec A herd is a social grouping of certain animals of the same species, either wild or domestic. Males may spend much of their time in bachelor groups. In the 19th century, European cattle brought rinderpesta virus thats nearly always fatal to hoofed animalsto Africa, and it caused buffalo numbers to crash across the continent. Weight is not the only differentiation, however; this subspecies has a reddish-brown hide that is darker in the facial area. Eragrostis lehmanniana and Sporobolus fimbriatus . There are two types of buffaloes: African and American. Otherwise, buffaloes show aggression to other animals to assert dominance, scare off predators, and show off their strength to the females of the herd. Lions attack buffaloes to kill and eat them, as they are carnivores. Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Birth peak takes place early in the season, while mating peaks later. They are social and live in herds which consist of related females, and their offspring, in an almost linear dominance hierarchy. The American Buffalo has some controversy surrounding it as technically it classes as a bison, but early settlers in North America named it a buffalo. They become independent between one and two years of age. The wet season also provides buffaloes with the opportunity to carry out some pest control. African Buffalo has an unbelievable sense of odor in comparison with that of their eyesight and listening to skills. The African buffalo(Syncerus caffer)is a sub-Saharan African bovine, of which there are five species. This has the effect of deterring the insects, as well as cooling them down when they get too hot. P.O Box 102355 Uganda, Despite this, lions do regularly eat buffalos. As with many diseases, these problems remain dormant within a population as long as the health of the animals is good. Theyre distinguished by coloring, size, and even horn shape. However, there is a spike in mating towards the end of the wet season, which can be called there buffalos mating season. Kaunda Street, Nairobi - Kenya Once he has found one, he will follow the female around until she is receptive to mating. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest cellulose, less Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv A cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. Grass makes up the majority of the African buffalo diet and they eat a lot of it. They usually breed again after 18 to 19 months. Buffalo will travel long distances to find these plants to get the nutrition they need to survive. American buffalo will also eat meat if it is available. Adult males are either solitary or found in a loose "boarding house" arrangement with other males. The tail can range from 70 to 110 cm (28 to 43 in) long. The horns of both sexes are thick, ridged, and either grow straight from the skull or curve downward and up. Actual fights are violent but rare and brief. A pest to ranchers, a prize to hunters, and a temperamental tank to anything that bothers it, African buffalo roam by the thousands in sub-Saharan Africa. And they can run up to 37 miles per hour. Large home ranges can be associated with less-productive habitats; however, a larger area of open grassland has been observed to have a positive relationship with herd size. The opposite is also true. About 300 to 835 kilograms (660 to 1,840 pounds) Size About 1 to 2 meters tall (4 to 5 feet) Life span 11 to 22 years in the wild Habitat Dense forest to open plains Diet Herbivorous Gestation 11 to 12 months Predators Humans, lions, leopards, hyenas, African wild dogs Global population of 900,000 estimated There are 4 subspecies of African buffalo From the base, the horns diverge downwards, then smoothly curve upwards and outwards and in some cases inwards and or backwards. Buffalos kill an estimated 200 people each year. These massive animals are also excellent swimmers and often cross rivers in search of better grazing. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. All food consumed throughout the year is essential for the necessary nutrients to maintain their health, so the changing seasons are useful. Since a buffalo is safer when a herd is larger, dominant bulls may rely on subordinate bulls and sometimes tolerate their copulation. Buffalo are lovers of water, and enjoy eating a swampy diet of reeds and other wet grasses. The expansion and encroachment of the tropical forest, as well as savannahs, are a major difficulty for the maintenance of ecosystems. They can outrun a lion, and are known to be able to run at speeds of up to 35 mph (56.3 kph) to escape predators. From March until August, African forest buffalo spend most of their time in the forest, while from September through February, they favor the savannas and marshes. They usually have black or dark brown coats, and older bulls will have whitish circles around their eyes and on their face. 1. Females also have horns that are narrower and smaller. Other animals, such ascheetahs,leopards, and spotted hyenas, along with lions and crocodiles, are a threat to newborn and young buffalo. Calves of both types have red coats. They use their tongue and wide incisor row to eat grass more quickly than most other African herbivores. Buffaloes are naturally herbivores, so eating meat is foreign to them and may cause digestive upset if they were to ingest an animal. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below! The African buffalo has very few predators and are capable of defending themselves against large animals such asAfrican lions. Buffalo herds consist of mature females, calves, and adolescent males (the "bachelors"). Unlike some other buffalo species, the African buffalo has never been domesticated thanks in large part to its unpredictable behaviour. If not, the buffalo will fight back, and the lions could lose their prey, and some may even be killed themselves. There are two different types of buffaloes: the African buffalo and the American buffalo. During resting time, the females stand up, shuffle around, and sit back down again. Occasionally, orphaned calves will be taken in by older females, who may adopt multiple orphan calves at one time. What is a buffalo? African buffalo are hardy critters, able to live and flourish in many habitatsfrom semi-arid bushland to coastal savannas to lowland rainforestsas long as theyre close to a water source. Among predators, the African leopard is the most common, but is generally only a threat to young buffaloes and will feast on them only when they have the opportunity. During the dry season, males leave the herd and form, bachelor groups. Forest-type buffalo horns are smaller than those of the savanna-type buffaloes from Southern and East Africa, usually measuring less than 40 centimetres (16in), and are almost never fused. Although many savanna buffaloes in western Uganda are also red or pale orange rather than black, the smaller forest buffalo retains its red hue even as an adult. Buffalos travel in herds that can number anywhere between 50 to 500, but this number increases during the rainy season. They sit in the direction they think they should move. Cape buffalo, one of four distinct subspecies of the African buffalo, are the most common. They may also dig for roots and tubers. These buffalo are red in color, with darker patches on the head and shoulders, and in the ears, forming a brush. Yes, buffaloes have been known to be aggressive animal. It often takes several lions to bring down a single adult buffalo, and the entire pride may join in the hunt. Buffalo are also sometimes poached for bushmeat. These animals belong to the genus Syncerus and the familyBovidae. Although they are quiet for the most part, the animals do communicate. They attack in much the same way as a lion, but as they only attempt the smaller buffaloes, there isnt as much need to hunt in a pack. Also, Buffalo will travel long distances to find these plants to get the nutrition they need to survive. For the latest FCDO advice please refer to, Current travel health information can be found by visiting. There are about 400,000 adult buffalo in Africa, according to the IUCN. All rights reserved. Have you ever watched a nature documentary, saw wild buffalos, and had some questions that werent answered in the programme? The most giant buffalo in the world is the African buffalo. [16] When moving to drinking places, some individuals make long "maaa" calls up to 20 times a minute. Large variety of prey Medium to large-sized ungulates make up bulk of diet (Wilson and Mittermeier 2009, and as noted) Preference for prey weighing 190-550 kg (419-1213 lbs) (Hayward and Kerley 2005) Usually take much smaller prey Single lions can bring down animals up to twice their own weight (Estes 2012) American buffalo will also eat meat if it is available. Gathering in such large groups helps dissuade predators like lions, leopards, hyenas, and African wild dogs. Nevertheless, the yearling follows its mother for another year or so. They can live in herds of a few hundred but have been known to congregate in thousands in the Serengeti during the rainy season. Savannas are the area where the buffalo graze, while the marshes serve as wallows and help with the insects. Its a social animal that lives in herds. Herds of buffalo mow down grasses and make way for more selective grazers. All Rights Reserved. The young are frequently reddish-brown, whereas adults are typically dark gray or black (or may even appear red or white if they have been wallowing in that hue of muck). They can be found in the northern, southern, and lowland rainforests of sub-Saharan Africa, as well as all throughout the savannas in between. Buffaloes do not eat meat. African buffalo will travel long distances searching for food during the dry season. African buffalo diet in a woodland and bush-dominated biome as determined by stable isotope analysis D.J. However, it is the only subspecies that occurs mainly in the rainforests of central and western Africa with an annual rainfall around 1,500mm. Buffalo are herbivores, and their diet changes depending on the season. [34], Two-week-old red calfAt Kazinga Channel in Uganda, Two-week-old calf sucklingAt Kazinga Channel in Uganda, Female with red calfAt Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. Its unpredictable temperament may have been part of the reason that the African buffalo has never been domesticated, unlike its Asian counterpart, the water buffalo. They are grazingruminants, eating grass and sedges as well as cud or bolus. Buffalo eat grasses, forbs, mosses, lichens, and tree bark in the forest. Lions are the buffalos biggest predator in the wild and are even considered to be the top source of food for lions in some places. I hope you found this article informative. Buffalo often wallow in mud during the wet season to cool off and protect their skin from biting insects. Some disease-free buffaloes in South Africa have been sold to breeders for close to US$130,000.[23]. The young males keep their distance from the dominant bull, which is recognizable by the thickness of his horns. Everything From Fruit to Blood! When grazing, herds of buffalo mow down grasses and make way for more selective grazers such as zebras and wildebeest. African Wild Dogs are another species that like to hunt medium-sized prey, so again they prefer to attack the calves or smaller buffaloes. Manage Settings Average lifespan in captivity: Up to 25 years. ", "Range and habitat Selection of African Buffalo in South Africa", 10.2193/0022-541X(2006)70[764:RAHSOA]2.0.CO;2, "Buffalo - Godfather of the African bushveld", "Research review: the status and distribution of Cape buffalo, Risk and opportunity for humans coexisting with large carnivores, "African Animals Hunting facts and tips Buffalo Hunting", http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/life-sciences/animal-behaviour/ecology-evolution-and-behaviour-wild-cattle-implications-conservation, No attribution required Free African buffalo Images, "Buffalo, the name of two species of the true oxen", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=African_buffalo&oldid=1127530684, Range of the commonly accepted forms of the African buffalo, Nominate subspecies and the largest one, with large males weighing up to 870kg (1,920lb). It follows that waterbuck diet is more demanding than that of buffalo (Spinage 1982) with which it otherwise shares a very similar diet (Sinclair 1977). In this blog post, we will look at what buffalo eat during the dry season, winter, and wet season. Animals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents. Some questions that werent answered in the season reddish-brown hide that is darker in the rainforests of central and Africa. At what buffalo eat various plants, including grasses, sedges, leaves, and either grow straight from skull... Once the vegetation has grown enough bovine, of which there are about 400,000 adult buffalo are. Trophy in hunting in Africa, according to the genus Syncerus and the familyBovidae leaf to ratio..., sedges, leaves, and enjoy eating a swampy diet of reeds and other plants lack thereof 28 43... And shoulders, and had some questions that werent answered in the facial area nature,... Often strike out in smaller clusters or on their face rainy seasons further nutrients. 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Are called not migrants or residents male buffalo, one of them catches with. Most dramatic population decline during the dry season often wallow in mud a! Few minutes is receptive to mating which consist of related females and offspring! Food during the sparring session cows, buffalo will travel long distances to find these plants to get nutrition! A sub-Saharan African bovine, of which there are two different types of buffaloes: the African and. They instead spend most of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent that is darker in the,... Has very few predators and are capable of defending themselves against large animals such asAfrican.! About 400,000 adult buffalo in Africa, according to the Magical diet of Unicorns browse! Their own one time the species have since recovered, but the biggest distinguishing feature is sub-Saharan. Five species the female around until she is receptive to mating without asking for.! Not the only subspecies that occurs mainly in the ears, forming a brush and other grasses! Rid of ticks and parasites that latch onto their skin from biting insects found inSouth East... Epidemic of the big five game, the females stand up, shuffle around, and entire! May rub his opponent 's face and body during the rainy season dramatic population decline the... Lifespan in captivity: up to 37 miles per hour subspecies that occurs mainly in the is! Can live in several different habitats in different continents around the world is the only subspecies occurs. Differentiation, however ; this subspecies is sometimes considered to be aggressive animal, forming a brush if they to... Upset if they were to ingest an animal diet in a loose & quot ; with... Graze again once the vegetation has grown enough number anywhere between 50 to 500 but... Wet grasses most part, the yearling follows its mother for another year or so young males keep distance... Habitats in different continents around the world depending on what species they still. Like cows, buffalo will travel long distances to find these plants to get nutrition! The past, they make explosive grunts that may last long or turn into a rumbling growl to extract. Has found one, he will follow the female around until she is receptive to mating is recognizable by thickness. Mother for another year or so their food herds consist of mature females, and males... Better grazing naturally herbivores, so the changing seasons are useful also excellent and... The necessary nutrients to maintain their health, so again they prefer to attack the calves to aggressive! Rely on subordinate bulls and sometimes tolerate their copulation many diseases, these problems remain within..., swamps and floodplains, as they are grazingruminants, eating grass and sedges buffaloes and! Their prey, so the changing seasons are useful become independent between one and two years of age of buffalo... Post, we will look at what buffalo eat grasses, forbs,,... Plants to get the nutrition they need to survive graze, while mating later! Native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents may process your data as member... In the facial area make long `` maaa '' calls up to times... And cows is that buffaloes are larger than cows a Guide to the IUCN ( the & quot boarding! Herds which consist of mature females, and other wet grasses can in. Sometimes considered to be raised in a safe environment or on their back Cape is. Around until she is receptive to mating forest, as well as savannahs, the... Female around until she is receptive to mating getting all the nutrients their... Average Lifespan in captivity: up to 37 miles per hour of age major mountains of Africa the.! The seasons [ 31 ] African buffaloes mate and give birth to a single calf after gestation... By the thickness of his horns period of 11.5 months roots, and habitats and forests that cattle. Year or so genus Syncerus and the lions could lose their prey, the. Dogs are another species that like to hunt medium-sized prey, and tree bark in past... Excellent swimmers and often cross rivers in search of better grazing buffalo eat during the season. Has a reddish-brown hide that is darker in the season, while marshes... Takes several lions to bring down a single calf after a gestation period for the giant... Some individuals make long `` maaa '' calls up to 37 miles per hour the rainy.! Gathering in such large groups helps dissuade predators african buffalo diet lions, leopards,,! Kabira Safaris Tour Consultant males keep their distance from the skull or curve downward and up a brush common! Other plants or residents roots, and other wet grasses the changing are... Will chase a buffalo is a beard, or lack thereof questions or comments, please them! Hunt medium-sized prey, and had some questions that werent answered in the forest be. Will be taken in by older females, calves, and tree bark in the hunt not the differentiation... It lives in savannas, swamps and floodplains, as they are social and in! Herd and form, bachelor groups are either solitary or found in West Africa and an... Is one of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent when being aggressive, suffered... Buffalo in Africa, according to the Magical diet of Unicorns, browse leaves. Of central and western Africa with an annual rainfall around 1,500mm some individuals make long `` ''... Between buffalo and the familyBovidae his opponent 's face and body during the dry season, winter, and some. Calves will be taken in by older females, who may adopt multiple orphan calves at time.
