What is a boss?

The male African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) has distinctive horns joined at the base on top of its head. It forms a continuous bone shield called a boss.

The boss is fully formed when the male African Buffalo is about 5-6 years old.

Females have smaller horns and the boss is not as visible as a male’s boss.

The Asian buffalo does not have a boss.

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

Buffalo