African Buffaloes: How They protect Themselves from Lions

Adult male lions are considered the rulers of the jungle because they are powerful hunters that can kill creatures much larger than themselves. However, one creature has figured out how to defend itself against these powerful predators: the African buffalo, also known as the Cape buffalo, which lives in sub-Saharan Africa. In Asia, we find water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), a massive bovine native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is also commonly referred to as the domestic water buffalo or Asian water buffalo. In this post, we focus on African buffalo, aka Cape buffaloes. Unlike water buffaloes, these buffalooes live in the wild, and they have developed an innovative survival strategy that helps them survive when attacked by lions. In this blog article, we will talk about how African buffalo use their defense mechanism to avoid being killed by lions!

Introducing African buffaloes and their habitat

African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are native to the African continent and can be found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, scrublands, and open forests. The continent is home to four different buffalo subspecies, all of which belong to the same species. These include the forest buffalo, the West African savanna buffalo, the Central African buffalo, and the southern savanna buffalo (also known as Cape buffalo). Cape buffalo are herbivores, meaning they feed primarily on plants and their diet consists of leaves, shoots, grasses, fruits, and twigs. Savannah buffalo have the physique of a cow, but are significantly larger and heavier. They differ not only in size, but also in the shape of their horns and their color.

Lions: The Undisputed Kingship

African lions are the main predators of the African buffalo. Lions are considered the rulers of the jungle because they are such strong hunters, especially female lions. They can kill creatures much larger than themselves, and they often target African buffalo as prey. Spotted hyenas also take African buffalo as food, but to a lesser extent than lions. In the Savuti region of Africa, 41% of the animals killed by lions during the dry season are African buffalo.

Although the number of lions in the continent’s national parks has declined over the years, African buffalo, even adult males, are hunted relentlessly by lions. In fact, lions keep the ecosystem in balance by hunting large and aggressive animals like African buffalo. In Serengeti National Park, the lion population has declined by 30% in the last 40 years. Other national parks across the continent also report a sharp decline in lion populations.

I noticed that there were fewer lions in 2014 than in 2013. The lions have been disappearing for several years. If you try to count them, you can not. I was in the Masai Mara in Kenya in 2007 and 2015 and could not tell any difference between the two years. One day there may not be a difference.
The reason the lion is struggling is because it is competing with a number of other predators, such as the hyena and cheetah, which are faster and more agile. In addition, its main prey, the wildebeest, has always had a huge population. This means that even if the lion starves, there are still plenty of wildebeest to eat.

African Buffaloes’ defensive mechanisms from the Lions

Cape buffalo have several defenses to protect themselves from predators like lions. One of the most important things they can do is stay awake. If they sleep for only a few minutes at a time, they are less likely to be surprised by a lion attack. African buffalo are also large and strong, making them difficult for lions to kill. Their horns are also dangerous, and buffalo have been known to use them to kill lions. They have thick skin that is almost impossible for even a lion’s powerful jaws to penetrate. And their horns are sharp and strong, so they can impale an attacker.

Buffalo sometimes band together in large herds to protect themselves, because there is safety in numbers. When attacked by lions, buffalo often try to flee. When that is not possible, they fight back with all their might. These defense mechanisms help buffalo survive in the wild despite threats from predators like lions. Still, buffalo are hunted by lions and spotted hyenas. To protect themselves from these predators when confronted by lions, buffalo have been observed to form a defensive circle around the youngest and weakest members of the herd. The adults then use their horns to fend off the lions. This tactic has successfully kept many buffalo from being killed by lions, as seen in this amazing video below.

Essential Mechanisms Employed for African Buffaloes Survival:

African buffalo use their horns as a defense mechanism to survive attacks by lions. Adult males have black or charcoal coloration, while females have a slight tint. They have short, straight hair and large heads and thick necks on their massive bodies. The limbs are short and the horns grow from thick bumps on the forehead. The horns curve sideways and downward before curving upward toward the tip. African buffalo use their horns as a defense mechanism against attacks by lions by pricking or knocking them off balance. 

When faced with a lion, an African buffalo first tries to intimidate the predator by roaring loudly and making itself appear as large as possible. When that does not work, the animal lunges at the lion and uses its horns to stab or knock the predator off balance. African buffalo are very strong and can weigh up to 625 kilograms (for males) or 530 kilograms (for females). Their strength, combined with their sharp horns, makes them a formidable opponent for any lion.

Below you can see how African buffalo defend themselves:

1. Stay alert

African buffalo sleep in short intervals, for a total of about two hours per day. This helps them stay awake and avoid being attacked by lions. 

2. Use their sense of smell

African buffalo have an excellent sense of smell and can easily detect the presence of lions. When they are detected, the herd is immediately put on high alert. 

3. Traveling on water

Because lions are reluctant to tread water, African buffalo often move along waterways to get to safety. In this way, they can easily avoid being captured by lions. 

4. stay together

African buffaloes are social animals and often move in large herds to keep safe from lions, because only together are they strong. By staying together in a group, buffalo are better able to protect themselves from attack. Most victims among African buffalo are older, single males who have been driven from the herd because of their aggressive behavior, which is no longer desired by their younger successors and the females they love. 

5.Stay with your mate

when the herd migrates, the smaller, younger, weaker buffalo stay in the middle while the stronger males lead the herd and form the protective outer ring. In this way, the weaker members of the herd are protected from attack. 

6. As the saying goes, the best offense is a good defense

African buffalo have been known to attack and drive off sleeping lions by trampling the heavier sleeping lions. Then they go hunting for their young.

7. They know when to retreat

When a lion attacks, the herd’s first natural reaction is to run away. Although this strategy works well for most of the group, those that stay behind will be caught and killed. However, it is important to know that a buffalo that runs away can be just as dangerous as an attacker – at 6 feet tall and weighing 680 pounds, its sharp hooves can easily injure anything (or anyone) in its path.

8. Call your jungle friends

Oxpeckers, a black bird species that feeds on ticks and fleas picked by buffalo, nest on them. The birds serve as an early warning system for the buffalo and hiss when they spot lions.

9. Confront your fears and fight back

A buffalo’s rear end is vulnerable, and lions know how to attack it. A buffalo’s huge, sharp horns can be used to stab, fling and strike a lion, resulting in wounds that are often fatal to the potential attacker. Even when fleeing, buffalo may stop unexpectedly, turn, and attempt to maul a pursuer before continuing their flight.

10. Shake them off

The size of a buffalo often deters predators; lions try to attack but are easily shaken off. You can often see the marks of these failed attempts on the buffalo.

11. Wait for help

even when lions work in a group to kill a buffalo, it can take up to 30 minutes to kill it because of the buffalo’s thick hide. And it is not uncommon for the entire herd to return to seek revenge and retrieve their fallen friend.

Conclusion remarks

African Buffaloes are an important part of the African ecosystem, and it’s fascinating to learn more about their behavior and how they interact with their environment. African buffaloes are powerful creatures, and they have several defensive mechanisms to protect themselves from predators. The three most crucial things they can do to increase their chances of survival are staying awake, forming large herds for protection, and encircling the youngest and weakest members of the herd. The adults use their horns to fend off lion attacks. By understanding the relationship between these two animals, we can better appreciate the complex interactions and relationships in the animal kingdom. What did you learn about African buffaloes before this article? Leave us a comment and let us know.

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References: 

• Melletti M. and Burton J. (eds). 2014. Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour of Wild Cattle. Implications for Conservation (Cambridge University Press). http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/life-sciences/animal-behaviour/ecology-evolution-and-behaviour-wild-cattle-implications-conservation
• Ecology and Behaviour of the African Buffalo – Social Inequality and Decision Making (Chapman & Hall Wildlife Ecology & Behaviour)
• https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/african-buffalo-defense.htm
• Huffman, B. 2006. The ultimate ungulate page. UltimateUngulate.com. Retrieved January 9, 2007.
• Nowak, R.M. and Paradiso, J.L. 1983. Walker’s Mammals of the World. Baltimore, Maryland, USA: The Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-2525-5
• https://simasafari.com/articles/buffalo-facts-why-are-they-so-much-feared-by-hunters/
• https://www.africa-wildlife-detective.com/african-buffalo.html