The African buffalo is a large, robust bovine native to sub-Saharan Africa, recognized by its heavy build, wide-spreading horns fused at the base into a shield-like boss in mature males, and its formidable reputation as one of the more dangerous large mammals to approach, particularly when wounded or defending a herd. It lives in large herds that can number in the hundreds, providing collective defense against predators such as lions, and it grazes primarily on grasses, often near water, which it needs regularly to drink and wallow in. African buffalo are considered a keystone species in many African ecosystems, shaping vegetation and providing prey for large carnivores, and while overall numbers remain relatively stable in well-protected areas, the species is classified as near threatened due to habitat loss and disease.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to People Living or ExtinctDerived from this species' own Conservation Status: this atlas's IUCN category list has no Extinct value, so a set conservation-status is itself evidence of living status. Scientific Name Conservation Status Population EstimateGlobal IUCN figure for the species as a whole, described as decreasing. Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceThe African buffalo is a very robust species. Its shoulder height can range from 1.0 to 1.7 m (3 ft 3 in to 5 ft 7 in) and its head-and-body length can range from 1.7 to 3.4 m (5 ft 7 in to 11 ft 2 in). 1 Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source African Buffalo (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem
Source Wikidata: Hippopotamus
Additional Source Okavango Delta (Wikipedia)Article text
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. African Buffalo (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction
The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large bovid native to sub-Saharan Africa. First described in 1779 by Swedish naturalist Anders Sparrman, it is the only extant species of the genus Syncerus.
Introduction
As of 2019, it is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of 398,000 to 401,000 mature individuals.
Description section, opening two sentences
The African buffalo is a very robust species. Its shoulder height can range from 1.0 to 1.7 m (3 ft 3 in to 5 ft 7 in) and its head-and-body length can range from 1.7 to 3.4 m (5 ft 7 in to 11 ft 2 in).
- In Biome: Grassland, Wikipedia intro: "ark, hairy tuft. The species occurs in a variety of habitats, such as woodlands, savannas, forests, grasslands, shrublands and wetlands. It forms herds ranging..."
View the Source 2. Wikipedia: African buffalo
system (MediaWiki batch-API article extract states it plainly)
Four subspecies are currently recognized: the Cape buffalo, West African savanna buffalo, Central African savanna buffalo and African forest buffalo.
Introduction
As of 2019, it is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, with an estimated population of 398,000 to 401,000 mature individuals.
View the Source3. African buffalo (Wikipedia)
geographic distribution has greatly reduced due to human factors such as poachingView the Source 4. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Syncerus caffer (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITESQuote, Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
Wikidata: African Buffalo
Wikidata Q160042, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Catalogue of Life
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of LifeChild Taxon Of: ArtiodactylaView the Source Okavango Delta (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem: Okavango Delta, Article textQuote, In Ecosystem: Okavango Delta, Article text
All of the big five game animals, the lion, leopard, African buffalo, African bush elephant, black and white rhinoceros are present.
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