Cape Buffalo
Syncerus caffer
Cape Buffalo: Robust grazer of savannas and wetlands.
| Scientific name | Syncerus caffer |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Nyati |
| Conservation status | Near Threatened |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Size | Male: 500-900 kg; Female: 400-700 kg |
How to identify
Large body size, dark brown to black coloration; males have prominent wide curved horns with thick bases forming a shield-like structure; high shoulders, slightly arched back; thick skin and well-developed neck muscles
Habitat
Sparse woodland savannas, grasslands, shrubs, river valleys, and near wetlands
Diet
Herbivorous, mainly feeding on grass, also consuming shrub leaves and other plants
When it is active
Diurnal, most active in early morning and late afternoon
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, etc.; commonly seen in Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve
How to spot it
Observe near water sources or open grasslands in the early morning and late afternoon; maintain a safe distance and avoid disturbing the herd
Photography tips
Use a telephoto lens to capture horn features and herd behavior; pay attention to lighting changes, with soft light in early morning and late afternoon ideal for photography
Threats
Habitat loss, diseases (such as bovine nodular stomatitis), illegal hunting, and human activity disturbances
Similar species
Similar to the Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), but the African buffalo is larger with a more pronounced shield-like horn base; distinguished from wildebeest mainly by horn shape and body size
