Black buffalo: 4 reasons why it got into the Big Five of especially dangerous animals (9 photos)

Hunters call it the black death of Africa. This animal kills and maims more people than a lion. To fall out of favor with this beast is tantamount to a death sentence. African buffalo - how does an ordinary cow hold the entire black continent under its hoof?





You've pissed in the wrong person's slippers, Barsik!

The African, or black buffalo, is one of the largest representatives of bovids in the world. Bovids include antelopes, cows, goats, and lambs. The average African muscle bull grows up to 110 centimeters at the withers and weighs a record 900 kilograms. And the weight of seasoned males goes beyond a ton! And this is the first reason why arguing with such a closet is more expensive for yourself. You are simply in the wrong weight class!



A fight between two heavyweights. Place your bets, gentlemen!

The second reason why the buffalo is recognized as an honorary member of the Big Five and one of the most dangerous animals on the entire continent is agility, strength and speed. Do not dare to delude yourself with the hope that the evil colossus is clumsy and slow. The buffalo accelerates from 30 to 60 km/h!





Let's have a bullfight in reverse? I'll be the one piercing you!

The thick skin, like armor, protects against claws, fangs, bullets. Its thickness reaches 2 centimeters. And, of course, the main weapon of the cow itself is the horns. Their span can be more than 1.5 meters. The African cow will not let anyone make shashlik out of herself - she herself will impale anyone on her skewer!



Hey, photographer, are you marinated yet?

And this is the third reason why buffalo are feared and respected throughout Africa. Their excessive aggressiveness. These cows are responsible for 200-300 (!) human deaths annually. For comparison, the king of beasts takes a toll of only 50-100 human lives. And let's not forget that lions are predators, and we, to some extent, fit the criteria of their prey. And buffaloes are primarily herbivores! And they attack not because they want to eat, but simply for a sideways glance in their direction.



And sometimes they pay for their excessive audacity.

Among predators, lions are the only ones who are capable of bringing down a colossus. But to do this, they need the entire pride. In addition, hunting does not always go according to plan. In the best case, wild cows drive lions up a tree, like yard kittens, and hold them there for hours, not letting them get down. In the worst case, big cats receive injuries incompatible with life.



The cat wet himself. And it's not that he fell in a puddle...

Even for a person with a firearm and a close-knit team, hunting these monsters can be deadly. If the beast is not put down with the first shot, it will run away and hide. But not out of fear, but to attack the offenders from behind and destroy them!



Hey, you piece of iron, why are you flashing your headlights? Are you hinting at something?!

The fourth reason for the buffalo's deadly success is their numbers and cohesion. The core of the herd is the maternal group of females, in which a strict hierarchy reigns. Somewhere nearby, males are always grazing, ready to come to the rescue. The largest herds number more than 1,000 individuals! Imagine what one bull can do, and multiply this power by a good hundred!



Don't threaten a southern bull.

Most often, bulls take the brunt of the attack. But cows can also give it some heat. Especially when it comes to the safety of a calf. During an attack by predators, adult animals quickly group together - they encircle the little ones and point their sharp long horns at the enemy. But this is not a passive defense. As soon as the moment comes, the buffaloes will immediately rush into the attack and impale the enemy on their horns! Or trample - that's also a good option. That's how an ordinary cow at first glance got into the legendary Big Five and received the status of one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.



Recall that the Big Five are the 5 most dangerous animals in Africa. Among them are the buffalo, rhinoceros, lion, leopard and elephant.