Male (bull) African Buffalo often lock horns to spar for dominance.

The male African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer) spar to fight or to play.

A bull approaches another male, with its horns down. The second bull does the same action. Then they lock horns and twist heads. They twist their horns from side to side.

Fights are rare and short.

Females rarely spar .

Male African Buffalo sparring

Male African Buffalo sparring

Male African Buffalo sparring

Male African Buffalo sparring

Male African Buffalo sparring

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM