Crazy Facts About the Cape Buffalo

Buffalo are one of the Big 5, animals that guests always want to see on their safari. However, it seems these herbivores are far less popular than the other four members. Most likely because less is known about them. 

So, with this in mind we decided to share some rather fun and hopefully interesting facts about the large Cape Buffalo.

• Just like elephants, buffalo have exceptional memories. They have been referred to as the mafia, not only because of their strong character but because they never forgive and almost always seek revenge. They have been known to circle back, stalk and attack or kill hunters.
• Interestingly, they are in fact one of the most dangerous of the big five because they simply ambush their prey without giving any type of warning signal.

• A Cape buffalo’s main predator is lion. Even though in most cases it takes quite a few lions to bring down an adult buffalo, they will defend themselves fiercely and are even capable of killing a lion.
• Breeding herds of buffalo prefer to stay in large groups. The collective noun for a group of buffalo is a herd, but can also be referred to as a gang, troop or an obstinacy.

• If a buffalo herd comes under threat from predators, they form a circle around the young or vulnerable members. All the adult buffalo face outwards, lowering their heads and forming a protective barrier with their horns.
• You can tell the difference between male and female buffalo by simply looking at their horns. The two horns on a male come together at the base and form a solid structure, known as a boss.  Female’s horns, on the other hand, do not touch one another at the base. 
• When male buffaloes fight, they use their huge and heavy set of horns backed by their massive muscular bodies to administer heavy blows to their opponents. 

• The most experienced cows are known as pathfinders. They are responsible for leading the herd and finding the best areas for grazing or waterholes for bathing and drinking.
• Buffalo are fantastic swimmers, known to swim through deep waters to either escape predators or to find better grazing areas.

• Buffalo manage the external parasites on their bodies by wallowing in the mud to kill off ticks and other parasites, but they also have a symbiotic relationship with a small bird called the Oxpecker. These birds eat the ticks all over their bodies even inside their noses!