While most male Cape Buffalo reach sexual maturity between 3.5 and 5.5 years old, they are not usually allowed to breed until they are 8 - 10 years old. Females, however, can have their first calf when they are 4 - 5 years old. Most buffalo calves are born in the summer months, and usually either during the late afternoon or just before dawn, when the herd is resting.
A single calf is born, and new-born calves can follow the herd a few hours after birth: if the herd moves during this time the mother and calf may be left behind temporarily. Cape Buffalo calves are sometimes hidden in thick undergrowth while the mother grazes nearby.
The bond between mother and calf is fairly strong, and they communicate via croaking calls from the mother and bleating by the calf. Cape Buffalo calves continue to suckle until they are about 15 months old, and can remain with their mother until the age of 2. Calf mortality is fairly high, as they are targeted by predators.
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