BUFFALO

Syncerus caffer

SHOULDER HEIGHT : 1,5m

MASS : 600 kg

GESTATION : 330 days

Single calf; breeds throughout the year with peaks in August and September. These are gregarious, shy creatures with fair sight, poor to good hearing and a good sense of smell. When pursued and wounded they are particularly dangerous. If you approach them on foot, they will stare in your direction before finally running off uttering grunts. It is wise to avoid dense cover and reeds where old bulls may be lying up. They charge head-on and are difficult to stop at short range. Good swimmers, they are fond of wallowing. The boss (heavy part of the horn which rests on the animals head) and horns are used to smash bushes. They are preyed upon by lion which are invariably found trailing large herds.

Diet – Grazer, but occasionally browses on shoots, twigs and bushes. Dependent on water; therefore limited in distribution by availability of water.