#Cape buffalo

[antiqueanimals]

Wilhelm Kuhnert (1865 – 1926). Cape Buffalo at the Water Hole (1912). Oil on canvas.

Coeur d’Alene Art Auction

[bovinefigureoftheday]

Bovine figure of the day: Herend Cape Buffalo

[inatungulates]

Cape buffalo Syncerus caffer

With oxpecker Buphagus sp.

Observed by burakdogansoysal, CC BY-NC

[ljingham]

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Uncharismatic Fact of the Day

Which way to go? Just ask the Cape buffalo! Females in a herd 'vote' on which way they should move by sitting down facing the direction they want to go. After about an hour of females sitting, standing, shuffling, and sitting again, the herd eventually comes to a consensus and moves off until they find another good grazing spot or a watering hole.

(Image: A female cape buffalo (front) (Syncerus caffer) and a juvenile (right) by Vanessa Ezenwa)

[textless]

One morning we came across a group of lions gnawing away at a cape buffalo who was already past caring.

A couple of female lions and some cubs enjoyed breakfast while the male, who had already eaten, lazed in the grass. Over an hour or so, a whole parade of scavengers arrived to wait, sneak in for a nibble, and hold one another at bay, all while the lions remained focused on their meal.

It was gruesomely fascinating, and the photos are below so you can skip them if the whole thing is too red in tooth and claw.

In the last photo above, the lion is scratching dirt over the bloody ground where the buffalo met its demise. Our guide said that diminishes the scent of the kill and its siren call to every hungry creature, but it's safe to say plenty of creatures were already on the case.

Jackals had been close by since we arrived, but they got steadily bolder as the lions dawdled. Then an assortment of vultures arrived. Of course they flew in, but then they edged closer on foot. They were remarkably stealthy for such enormous birds.

The vultures pictured above include lappet-faced vultures and white-backed vultures.

Finally, the little jackals couldn't wait another minute. The lions had pushed the buffalo stomach off to one side, intact, and that is where the jackals made their move.

The big male lion had returned to the buffet by this time, and lost patience with the company.

Annoyed, the lion moved the buffalo a little. This left some bits and pieces behind, including the stomach, and the jackals and vultures went to town.

Just when it seemed the jackals would finally have a chance to dig in, the hyenas that had been creeping around the edges decided they had waited long enough.

It was interesting to see the one unfortunate buffalo provide a meal for the whole wild kingdom.

When we moved on to have our own breakfast, the male lion was still standing guard.

Masai Mara, Kenya, July 2023.

[lost-lycaon]

This is the most WHAT face a buffalo can have.

[thegreatprinceoftheforest]

Cape Buffalo | Dan Arietti

[trashrat176]

animal sketches! i’m having a really fun time doing these so feel free to give some recommendations!

[bruesselbach]

Cape Buffalo Skull, 2024, oil on canvas, 24x25.5

[sitting-on-me-bum]

Cape Buffalo, Zimaga Game Reserve, South Africa

by Pam Mullins

[antiqueanimals]

Bob Kuhn (1920–2007), Cape Buffalo, graphite on paper.

MutualArt

[bovinefigureoftheday]

Bovine figure of the day: Mountain's Animal Studio/盧楓山 Cape Buffalo

[inatungulates]

Cape buffalo Syncerus caffer

Observed by craigpeter, CC BY-NC

[terry-the-insane]

Animal of the day for October 13: Cape Buffalo (Subspecies Syncerus caffer caffer)

These herbivores travel in large herds across the savannas of Africa, and a common target for predators and hunters, though they are very dangerous due to their size and horns, and are even known to get revenge for a fallen comrade.

[uncharismatic-fauna]

Cape Buffalo

Habitat: Savannahs, wetlands, & tropical dry forests

Strengths:

A very large and muscular animal, standing up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft) at the shoulder and weighing up t 870 kg (1,918 lb)

The curved horns can reach 164 cm (64.5 in) across

Large, powerful hooves

Capable of running up to 57 kph (35 mph)

Very good sense of smell

Weaknesses:

Poor eyesight

Photo by Piet du Toit