The gestation period of buffalo mothers lasts nearly 11 months, with the mating season aligned with the onset of the rainy season, which provides abundant resources, such as lush vegetation and water.
Despite their size, buffaloes are skilled swimmers. They can swim gracefully and efficiently in the water, floating through their fat-filled bodies, which act like natural life jackets.
Wild buffalos can live for two decades, influenced by various factors such as food availability, diseases, predation pressures, and longevity. On the other hand, captive buffalos in zoos, national parks, or farms live for 25 years due to regular feeding and protection from threats.
While it may seem leisurely, wallowing in mud helps buffalo survive in their habitats. Since the massive buffalo generate a lot of heat, mud baths help regulate their body temperature, similar to personal air conditioning systems. The mud also protects their skin against the harsh sun.
Next on our buffalo facts list: Besides their strength and social behaviors, African buffaloes communicate herd decisions by voting. Female buffalos vote in fair, democratic elections to decide where the herd goes next.
Like elephants, the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) can remember past events, particularly negative ones. However, if the elephant doesn't forget, the buffalo never forgives.
Despite its role in balancing the ecosystem, the buffalo faces various threats. One example is the Asian water buffalo, which the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified as 'Endangered.' Hunters have killed them for their horns and meat, while human settlements and agriculture have destroyed their natural habitat.
The African savannah is home to the impressive Cape Buffalo, easily distinguishable from other subspecies due to its dark brown to almost black coat. These herbivores live in sub-Saharan Africa's grasslands, swamps, forests, and national parks.
The African Dwarf Buffalo, also called the Forest Buffalo, lives in the rainforests of Central and West Africa1. This species stands at a shoulder height of about 3.6 feet and has a weight range of 551 to 705 pounds, smaller than its counterparts.
The Sudan Buffalo is native to forests and wet savannas in West Africa. Although similar in appearance to other buffalo species, it has a comparatively smaller size and lighter coloration. Notably, it tends to live in smaller herds and prefers habitats close to water.
