Predation and Agonistic Behavior
Predation
The risk of predation on the African buffalo is fairly low, out of the 10% that die each year only one quarter of that is due to predation. The buffalo's main predator is the lion. At a maximum speed of 60 km per hour the buffalo is quite capable of outrunning a lion whose maximum speed averages at about 50 km per hour. As a result, the lion must approach the buffalo closely from behind. This is extremely hard to do in the savanna grasslands and the sheer number of buffalo that are keeping vigilance makes successful attacks quite rare. When attacks do occur the victim is normally an adult male buffalo. This can be attributed to the movement of the adult males away from the large herd during the dry season. The adult males live in smaller groups and therefore have fewer places to hide and fewer eyes to watch for predators. The lion's chance of a successful kill is much higher with these bachelor groups. Calves also live at a greater risk of being preyed upon, however the size of the herd, especially in the wet season when there are many newborns, serves as protection for these calves (Prins 1998). When a buffalo is in distress or under attack it will make a croaking noise. At this point the herd will orient towards the sound, pause, and then move towards the sound. Herds will often attack and trample the predator (Sinclair 1977).
Photo permission pending from John Brockman at www.edge.org
Agonistic Behavior
A fight between two buffalo begins with threat behavior. This is characterized as a solid stance, the head held high but with the nose pointed downward. This stance enables the buffalo to appear as large as possible but to have the horns completely displayed to the opponent. When the male is approaching a subordinate male he will approach him head on, however when a dominant male is approaching a fellow dominant male he will assume a lateral position (one male will show his side to the other). Possible reasons for this may include the attempt to appear as large as possible. The fight will then escalate. Both buffalo stand about 20 feet apart from one another and will toss their horns into the air, circle each other, and kick up dirt. This usually lasts for about 15 minutes and results in one buffalo giving up and walking away, thus backing down and showing subordination. These types of threat behaviors are seen quite often and they very rarely culminate into a full blown fight. A fight occurs when two buffalo charge at one another. The larger buffalo will win and after one collision the subordinate will run away, usually being chased by the winner (Sinclair 1977). The horns of the buffalo are the most distinctive characteristic of the species. They are a crucial aspect of gaining dominance within the male linear system. Males that gain dominance secure more access to females and thus reproduce more (Lundrigan 1996).
Sparring is a behavior that is seen only in subordinate males. One male will approach the other with horns displayed downwards much like the dominant mail during threat behavior. Once the other male responds the two will join horns and twist their heads from side to side and this lasts for several minutes. This act is seen as less of an act of aggression and rather an indication of play (Sinclair 1977).