All about Cape Buffallo -Big 5 Member .

The Cape buffalo also referred to as Cafe Buffalo is the large African bovine. Cape buffalo has no close relation with the slight larger wild water buffalo of Asia. The ancestry of Cape buffalo has remained unknown. The scientific name of Cape buffalo is Syncerus caffer caffer. It is a typical subspecies and among the largest located in South and East Africa. Generally, the adult buffalo horns are the core feature with fused base that form continuous bone shield referred to as “boss”. Cape buffalo have been regarded as quite dangerous animal since they usually kill and gore more than 200 people every year (Ogutu, et al 2011).
As well, African Buffalo is not part of domestic cattle ancestor and has far been related with other larger bovines. Cape buffalo is a member of the big five game. Cape Buffalo are small in size when compared to their counterpart water buffalo. However, their size is quite impressive. Cape buffalo is 4.26 to 4.92 feet long from hoof to head and it weights almost 935 to 1919 lbs. On the other hand, Cape buffalo is not far from water. Cape buffalo may live in grasslands, swamps, savannas, mixed forest, glades and lowland floodplains (Wato, Wahungu & Okello, 2006). It is less likely to find this type of buffalo roaming farther than 20 kilometers from body of water. Rather than spending the rest part of their day swimming, they consider lying on the grass or under the tree to remain cool as they nap. During night hours, cape Buffalo enjoy grazing in the cool air. As a buffalo, it is a social animal and lives in a group referred to as herd. African buffalo herd tends to contain mixed gender. A Cape buffalo herd in most cases contains almost 1,000 members (Gakuya, et al 2012).
Cape buffalo is herbivores and so it feeds on vegetation only. Their favorite foods tend to be herbs and grass. They feed on scrubs and tree in case they fail to find herbs and grass to feed on. Cape buffalo is a mammal and as a mammal the bear live young called calves. Regularly, they bear one calf at a time. The female has to carry the calf for a gestation period of about 9 to 11 months. After the calf is born, the Cape buffalo has to stay with the mother for almost three years. Cape buffalo can live for around 26 years (Wato, Wahungu & Okello, 2006).
Cape buffalo are not endangered species since its population is almost 900,000. They are known for their democracy level. After they are ready for traveling, Cape buffalo stand and turn toward the direction they wish to go. They have the majority of vote win and head female has to take the lead toward the wining direction. In addition, Cape buffalo is an aggressive animal and has tendency of attacking humans. Cape buffalo are protective over each other. They take care for the sick as well as the old ones in their herd by shielding them from any predator (Okello, 2005).