Cape Buffalo
Notoriously Dangerous
Cape Buffalo are notoriously dangerous animals. The fact that they are referred to as one of the “Big 5 Game” by hunters means that they have been ranked with African Elephants, Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, and Lions as the world’s most dangerous animals to hunt. Why is the Cape Buffalo so dangerous? When they are wounded or under attack, they become extremely aggressive and anyone who is within charging range of them is in serious jeopardy. What also makes them so dangerous is the fact that they are known to form a huge herd and attack their victims together. When they are not under direct threat, they can be found relaxing in the African Savannah where they are often seen sparring with other buffalo and eating. Cape Buffalo are able to run up to 59.5 km per hour. The buffalo have a symbiotic relationship with many African birds such as the Oxpecker. They are often found eating bothersome bugs off the buffalo and will also warn the buffalo when danger is near. The Cape Buffalo are very social animals and usually travel in herds of about a dozen, but have been known to travel in herds of up to 2,000 buffalo.The size of the Cape Buffalo does not stop them from swimming through bodies of water to reach a more suitable grazing location. They will also submerge themselves in the water to cool off from the hot sun.These mammals have a relatively long gestation period of eleven months with mating season occurring mainly between the months of March and May.