African Buffalo — iibso ama iibi

African buffalo, or black buffalo, Cape buffalo, is the only representative of the family Bovidae, widely distributed in Africa. Among the Bovidae family, the African buffalo is classified into a separate genus, Syncerus. The African buffalo is one of the largest buffalo species, with an adult male weighing up to 1000 kg, although individuals weighing 1200 kg can also be found; males are significantly larger than females. The body length can reach 3-3.5 m, and the height at the withers is 1.5-1.8 m. The build is powerful and dense, with a low-set head. The horns are very unusual, with the bases fusing on the forehead to form a distinctive shield, and the tips curve upward and inward. The so-called horn shield on the forehead forms by the age of 5-6 years. The horns of females are much smaller than those of males, and females lack the horn shield. The African buffalo has very poor eyesight but has a well-developed sense of smell and hearing. These animals have a highly developed communication system; tail and head movements play an important role in their interactions, and buffalo also produce various vocal signals. In the 19th century, scientists identified 90 subspecies of buffalo: red buffalo, Cape buffalo, Sudanese buffalo, mountain buffalo, dwarf buffalo, etc. Among the powerful African animals, the African buffalo is the most feared; its only enemy is the lion. Buffaloes are peaceful animals that live in herds with a clear hierarchy, but if disturbed, they can become a dangerous combination of speed, loyalty, and brute strength capable of killing the most formidable animal in Africa—the lion. Exterior. The coat of the African buffalo is dark, black or dark gray in color, with dark and dense hair; as they age, males develop white circles around their eyes, and their hair becomes less dense. Males are significantly larger than females, with an adult male weighing up to 1000 kg, although individuals weighing 1200 kg can also be found. The body length can reach 3-3.5 m, and the height at the withers is 1.5-1.8 m. The build is powerful and dense, with a low-set head; the horns are very unusual, with the bases fusing on the forehead to form a distinctive shield, and the tips curve upward and inward. The mass of the front part of the African buffalo's body is larger than that of the rear, which is why the front hooves are wider than the rear. The African buffalo has wide and large ears and a long tail. The horns of female African buffaloes are much smaller than those of males, and their coloration is lighter.