Cape buffalo: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Facts

Also Known As	African buffalo • Syncerus caffer caffer

Photos

Close-up of a Cape buffalo, also called African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), facing forward with large curved horns and dark fur.

A formidable bovid

Cape, or African, buffalo (Syncerus caffer) with cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) on its back.

red-billed oxpecker

See All Images →

Topics

What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?buffalo Water buffalo tamarau

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

Buffalo Bill. William Frederick Cody. Circus poster, I am coming, Col. W.F. Cody. Portrait of Buffalo Bill (1846-1917) on stampeding bison (buffalo). Folk hero of the American West. Chromolithograph, c1900

Buffalo or Bison?

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz

The bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is seen in Switzerland on December 2024

Animal Factoids