Animal · South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya
African buffalo
Syncerus caffer — the name this animal has in the language scientists everywhere share.
The African buffalo is a powerful, herd-forming grazer found across the savannas and wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa. Its huge, fused horns form a tough shield called a boss across its forehead.
Picture credit: Bernard DUPONT (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Bernard DUPONT (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Bernard DUPONT (CC BY-SA 2.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Where does the african buffalo live?
Home: Savannas, floodplains and woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa.
In the wild you find it in: South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Mozambique.
Conservation status from the IUCN: close to being at risk.
The short profile
Fully grown it measures up to 3.4 m long. It weighs about 650 kilograms. On the menu: plants.
The story behind it
African buffalo herds can number in the hundreds and even thousands, sticking closely together for protection, since a group can drive off lions by working together, something few other prey animals dare attempt. Considered one of Africa's 'Big Five' most dangerous animals to hunt, an injured buffalo is known to circle back and ambush pursuers, making it especially feared. Small birds called oxpeckers ride on buffalo backs, eating ticks and parasites while also giving an early alarm call when predators approach, a helpful partnership for both species. Buffalo need to drink water daily and are rarely found far from rivers or waterholes. Disease and habitat loss have made the species near threatened in parts of its range.
Find it on the globe
African buffalo is there as a tiny animated figure that breathes and looks around. From far away the planet is only a blue ball; detail arrives as you zoom in, and this one appears once you are close enough. Open it on the globe.
It sits at its real coordinates, not near them — the same numbers listed in the facts above. Switch off the layer for this kind of place and it disappears again; the buttons for that are down the right-hand edge.
Questions children ask
Why is the African buffalo considered so dangerous?
African buffalo are considered dangerous because an injured or cornered animal can be unpredictable and aggressive, sometimes even circling back to ambush a pursuer. Their size, speed and sharp horns make encounters risky for hunters and researchers alike.
Why do birds sit on buffalo?
Small birds called oxpeckers perch on buffalo to eat ticks and other parasites off their skin, giving the buffalo relief from pests while the bird gets an easy meal. The birds also call out loudly when predators approach, warning the buffalo.
Do buffalo protect each other from lions?
Yes, African buffalo herds often work together to drive off attacking lions, sometimes even rescuing a herd member that has already been caught. This teamwork makes buffalo one of the few prey animals lions approach with real caution.
Where these numbers come from
Every figure on this page was checked against public reference sources before publication. Where sources genuinely disagree, the text says so.
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