Habits:Buffaloes prefer open savannah grassland, and areas in the bushveld with abundant long grass. They are often found in reeds, near water. Buffaloes also regularly frequent dense mopanie-veld. Buffaloes need a good fresh water supply as they love to cool down and also drink water daily. Bulls especially like to lie in water and mud hollows where they can roll in the mud and take mud baths to rid themselves of flies, horseflies and ticks. Buffaloes are gregarious and in South Africa (Kruger National Park) herds of up to 500 and more can congregate, consisting of dominant bulls and cows. In other parts of Africa herds of more than a 1000 animals can gather. Bulls are often found alone or form small bachelor herds, consisting of older and younger animals and varying in number from a few animals to about 10 and more.Diet / Food and water:Lions are opportunistic hunters. They will eat anything from termites to an elephant if they can. Depending on their territory and the species of prey available in the area they usually hunt medium to large size animals like wildebeest, impala, zebra, waterbuck, kudu, buffalo and giraffe amongst others and even in some cases hippos, young rhinos and elephants. Giraffe have been known to inflict serious injuries to lions and often kill lions, while defending themselves by kicking at the lions, especially with their hind legs. Lions are often found following large or smaller herds of buffalo while waiting for a chance to catch and kill one, although buffaloes are not that easy to catch due to the fact that they will not always run away but will group together (often forming a circle around the young) and try to stand their ground in an effort to defend their young and each other. Lions are also often injured or killed by buffaloes, especially by the bulls which can cause a lot of damage with their horns as well as by stomping on the lions with their hard hooves.Enemies:Lion, Leopard, Hyena, African Wild Dog, Crocodile, Humans.Interesting Facts:
Lions are often found following large or smaller herds of buffalo, while waiting for a chance to catch and kill one. However buffaloes are not that easy to catch, due to the fact that they will not always run away, but will group together (often forming a circle around the young) and try to stand their ground in an effort to defend their young and each other. Lions are also often injured or killed by buffaloes, especially by the bulls which can cause a lot of damage with their horns as well as by stomping on the lions with their hard hooves.
The Buffalo is one of the so called Big 5 animals, an old hunter’s term given to the 5 most dangerous animals to hunt in Africa. In the buffalo’s case it is mainly due to their dangerous and cunning nature. They do not have very good eyesight but their hearing and smell is exceptional. There are many hunting tales that mention wounded buffaloes setting ambushes for hunters that follow them, by circling back on their own tracks, to stand and wait for the hunters that are tracking them. A number of hunters were injured or killed by buffaloes through the years while hunting them.
Reproduction:Mating takes place mainly during late summer and usually single calves are born from early to mid- summer.Gestation period:The gestation period for Buffaloes takes 11 monthsDay or night:Buffaloes graze mainly by night and early morning and rest up in shade during the heat of the day. Often at night buffalo herds will also lie down to rest for periods of timeMass:Male: Bull – 650 to 800 kg.Female: Cow – 550 to 700 kgLifespan:These animals can live up to 20 yearsStatus:around 400,000.
Resources:https://www.wildlifesouthafrica.com/blog/mammals-of-south-africa/lion-fact-file#:~:text=Lions%20used%20to%20occur%20throughout,Eastern%20parts%20of%20South%20Africa.