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Description
The African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) also known as the Cape Buffalo, is considered one of the most aggresive and dangerous animals of the African continent. It is a member of the bovine family, which includes the American bison, Gaur and European domesticated cattle.
The native habitat of the African buffalo is the savannah of central and southern Africa. Although these animals can survive under all sorts of conditions found within this region, their ideal habitat is an open area containing high grassy thickets and the occasional tree for cover, with access to a permanent supply of water and mud for wallowing. The buffalo grazes on a wide assortment of savannah grasses. Its long, prehensile tongue allows it to consume the taller, coarse grass usually avoided by other herd animals.
The African buffalo roams in large herds. Each herd has an established range that rarely overlaps with the ranges of other buffalo. The social behavior among buffalo is highly cooperative; for instance, if a herd crosses into a solitary bull's territory, that bull will lead the herd through its land and then allow the next bull to take over at the boundary. At rest, related animals within a herd will often lie with their backs touching or with chins propped on each other's backs. In the open spaces of the African savannah, buffalo herds can often contain 500 to 2,000 individuals. Because of their relatively large size and need for space, they are kept in much smaller groups in captivity.
African buffalos tend to be quiet animals, except for grunts and bellows during the mating season. On the whole, the African buffalo is rather placid, except when it is injured or threatened. When threatened, the buffalo will aggressively shake its head, presenting its formidable horns to its opponent. An angry buffalo will also stamp its feet and charge. In a herd, this behavior is contagious; one enraged buffalo can quickly upset the other animals. With poor eyesight and hearing, these animals depend greatly upon their keen sense of smell, which can detect a predator 800 feet away.

Although adult buffalo, weighing in at over 1,000 pounds, are generally safe from attack, they will vigorously protect their young from such predators as lions and hyenas. On occasion, their thick hides enable them to escape through dense thornbushes that would deter most animals. At a speed of up to 35 mph, buffalo are capable of outrunning a pursuing lion, but can be ambushed in spite of this since it is difficult for them to get up to speed quickly. Only lions are capable of bringing down a healthy adult buffalo, and even then they run a considerable risk of being treed, gored, or trampled by an enraged herd.

Social: African buffalo live in herds composed of many groups of related females, with groups of bachelor males and solitary dominant males existing on the periphery. A herd can be made up of multiple of these groups.

Size: Its shoulder height can range from 5.6 to 6 ft and its head-and-body length can range from 5.6 to 11.2 feet. Males are larger than females, weighing in at around 1000 kg (2,200 pounds). Females however only reach 500 kg (1,100 pounds).

Description
The African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) also known as the Cape Buffalo, is considered one of the most aggresive and dangerous animals of the African continent. It is a member of the bovine family, which includes the American bison, Gaur and European domesticated cattle.
The native habitat of the African buffalo is the savannah of central and southern Africa. Although these animals can survive under all sorts of conditions found within this region, their ideal habitat is an open area containing high grassy thickets and the occasional tree for cover, with access to a permanent supply of water and mud for wallowing. The buffalo grazes on a wide assortment of savannah grasses. Its long, prehensile tongue allows it to consume the taller, coarse grass usually avoided by other herd animals.
The African buffalo roams in large herds. Each herd has an established range that rarely overlaps with the ranges of other buffalo. The social behavior among buffalo is highly cooperative; for instance, if a herd crosses into a solitary bull's territory, that bull will lead the herd through its land and then allow the next bull to take over at the boundary. At rest, related animals within a herd will often lie with their backs touching or with chins propped on each other's backs. In the open spaces of the African savannah, buffalo herds can often contain 500 to 2,000 individuals. Because of their relatively large size and need for space, they are kept in much smaller groups in captivity.
African buffalos tend to be quiet animals, except for grunts and bellows during the mating season. On the whole, the African buffalo is rather placid, except when it is injured or threatened. When threatened, the buffalo will aggressively shake its head, presenting its formidable horns to its opponent. An angry buffalo will also stamp its feet and charge. In a herd, this behavior is contagious; one enraged buffalo can quickly upset the other animals. With poor eyesight and hearing, these animals depend greatly upon their keen sense of smell, which can detect a predator 800 feet away.

Although adult buffalo, weighing in at over 1,000 pounds, are generally safe from attack, they will vigorously protect their young from such predators as lions and hyenas. On occasion, their thick hides enable them to escape through dense thornbushes that would deter most animals. At a speed of up to 35 mph, buffalo are capable of outrunning a pursuing lion, but can be ambushed in spite of this since it is difficult for them to get up to speed quickly. Only lions are capable of bringing down a healthy adult buffalo, and even then they run a considerable risk of being treed, gored, or trampled by an enraged herd.

Social: African buffalo live in herds composed of many groups of related females, with groups of bachelor males and solitary dominant males existing on the periphery. A herd can be made up of multiple of these groups.

Size: Its shoulder height can range from 5.6 to 6 ft and its head-and-body length can range from 5.6 to 11.2 feet. Males are larger than females, weighing in at around 1000 kg (2,200 pounds). Females however only reach 500 kg (1,100 pounds).