What is the scientific name of the African buffalo?
The scientific name of the African buffalo is Syncerus caffer. This species is not domesticated and stands in stark contrast to its domestic cattle cousins.
Common questions about African buffalo
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How many chromosomes does the African buffalo have?
The African buffalo possesses 52 chromosomes. This number distinguishes it from domestic cattle and American bison, which have 60 chromosomes.
Which subspecies of African buffalo is the largest?
The Cape buffalo is the largest subspecies of African buffalo. It is found in Southern and East Africa and can grow to be the size of a small car.
How many people does the African buffalo kill in Africa?
The African buffalo is known to kill more people in Africa than any other animal. In Uganda, large herbivores were found to attack more people on average than lions or leopards.
What is the current conservation status of the African buffalo?
The current status of the African buffalo is categorized as Near Threatened by the IUCN. The population is decreasing with approximately 400,000 individuals remaining.