Species Overvie
Species Overview
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Syncerus
Species: Syncerus caffer
Life Span: 15–25 years (in the wild)
Weight: 500–900 kg (1,100–2,000 lbs)
Height: 1.3–1.7 meters (4.3–5.6 feet) at the shoulder
Length: 2–3 meters (6.5–10 feet) from head to tail
Animal Behavior and Habits
Activity: Diurnal – Cape buffalo are active during the day, with peak activity in the early morning and late afternoon. They rest in the heat of midday.
Feeding Habits: Herbivorous – Cape buffalo are grazers and feed primarily on grasses. They prefer open savannas and grasslands, but will also feed on shrubs and leaves when grasses are sparse.
Social Structure: Highly social – Cape buffalo live in large herds, typically consisting of 50–500 individuals. Herds are led by older, experienced females. Bulls tend to be more solitary or form bachelor groups after reaching maturity.
Hunting Approach: Cape buffalo are notoriously aggressive and can be very dangerous when threatened. They use their sharp horns and massive strength to defend themselves against predators, including lions.
Habitat and Environment
Preferred Habitat: Grasslands, savannas, and woodlands near water sources. They require access to water daily.
Water Sources: Always near water – Cape buffalo need to drink daily, making them commonly found near rivers, lakes, or watering holes.
Best Hunting Locations: Look for Cape buffalo near waterholes, riverbanks, or in areas with abundant grazing land. They typically move through game trails and paths to access water.
Tracks and Trails: Cape buffalo tracks are large, round, and deep, with noticeable toe marks and a broad impression of their hooves. Tracks are often found near water or feeding areas.
Signs: Look for large herds grazing in open areas, or signs of browsing and hoofprints in mud or soft ground near water sources.
Hunting Time
Ideal Hunting Times: Early morning and late afternoon – these are the times when Cape buffalo are most active, grazing and moving between water and feeding areas.
Breeding Season: Cape buffalo breed year-round, with a peak in calving during the wet season. Females give birth to a single calf after a gestation period of about 11 months.
Trophy Quality: Trophy hunting focuses on large bulls with thick, well-developed horns that curve inward. Mature bulls often have wide, dark horns with a “boss” (the hard, bony area at the base of the horns).
Use of Scent Lures: Scent lures are not commonly used for Cape buffalo. Hunting is generally done by tracking herds near water or through game trails, especially in the early morning or late afternoon when the buffalo are most active.
