While African buffalos are frequent prey for lions, these beasts are formidable opponents in their own right. Armed with two massive horns, the African buffalo, or cape buffalo, has few other predators and is known for its ability to brutally ‘gore’ opponents.

This characteristic horn is unique in that it has fused bases, forming a continuous bone shield referred to as a “boss”. This can prove extremely dangerous. These animals reportedly gore and kill more than 200 people every year, and they are easily one of the most dangerous species in all of Africa.

When lions hunt buffalo, they tend to rely on the strength of a group, as the power of a full-grown African buffalo can be too much for a single lion. When wounded or threatened, the buffalo will become highly aggressive and demonstrate incredible mettle in the face of attackers.

Weighing between 1,100 and 2,200 pounds, and capable of charging at up to 35 miles per hour, these massive creatures no doubt strike fear into the heart of any lion that finds itself outnumbered.

The African buffalo or Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a large Sub-Saharan African bovine. Syncerus caffer caffer, the Cape buffalo, is the typical subspecies, and the largest one, found in Southern and East Africa. S. c. nanus (African forest buffalo) is the smallest subspecies, common in forest areas of Central and West Africa, while S. c. brachyceros is in West Africa and S. c. aequinoctialis is in the savannas of East Africa.

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