Buffalo have a great range of morphological variation, varying from small, reddish small-horned individuals living in forests to the more widely known large, dark, heavily-built savanna buffalo with large, heavy horns. The low-slung horns, particularly those of the males, are massive and develop heavy central bosses, which are covered by hair until the male is 2 - 3 years old. Buffalo are very heavily built, thick-set animals, with large legs to support their heavy bodies. In spite of their bulk, they are capable of speeds of up to 55 km/ hr over short distances.
When wounded, buffalo become very aggressive, and, with their curved horns held high, they charge, lowering their horns at the last moment to fling their tormentor into the air. Nature lovers are often amazed at the intelligence and cunning of buffalo. An alarmed herd, threatened by a pride of lions, will most often to go into a defensive semi-circular formation, males on the perimeter facing outwards, protecting the females and calves within.
Cape Buffalo are troubled by skin parasites such as ticks, and red-billed oxpeckers are a common sight on buffalo; as many as 12 may be seen perched on a buffalo at any one time, pecking out ticks, which form their stable food. The oxpeckers also warn the buffalo of approaching danger.
Cape Buffalo Communication
Much of the communication of Cape Buffalo is in the form of body language: the hierarchy beween males is maintained by threatening displays with the head held high, nose pointing to the ground, or by both of these; the body is held laterally to emphasize its size.
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