The African Forest Buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) is a sub-species of the African buffalo. It is also known as the Dwarf Buffalo or the Congo Buffalo. It is related to the Cape Buffalo.
The African Forest Buffalo has reddish-brown fur with darker fur around its face. Its ears have long fringes of hair. It has short, backward-facing horns.
It grows to 150-170 centimetres (59-67 inches) to shoulder height.
It is native to west Africa and central Africa. It prefers rain forests, marshes, and grassy savannahs.
It is a grazer, eating grass. Its predators include the leopard and crocodile.
The African Forest Buffalo lives in herds from 3-30 individuals.
The African Forest Buffalo mates only during the rainy seasons. Females are pregnant for about 330 days before giving birth to one live young, called a calf. New calves are protected by the buffalo herd. They have dense hair, which becomes thinner as they age.
[Location of photographs: Berlin Zoo, Germany]
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM