While this buffalo
may seem mild-mannered,
just minding its own business
while grazing the savannah
it's anything but.
What you're actually looking
looking at here is
one of the deadliest
animals in Africa.
These Cape buffalo
behemoths are
responsible for killing around
200 people in Africa
every year.
Most of whom are hunters.
So, maybe they know
that coming.
Imagine this
one-ton creature
headed straight for you.
Or worse,
an entire herd.
Thanks, but I'd rather not.
Nicknamed the "black death",
these beasts can grow up to
1.8 m (6 ft) tall
and run at speeds of up to
56 km/h (35 mph).
They are the largest
of all the buffalo subspecies.
Cape buffalo are part of
Africa’s "big five".
That is, the continent's five
fiercest and most
sought-after animals.
Their size, speed
and aggressive behaviour
can turn them into
killing machines.
But this doesn't mean
they're always on the
prowl for their next victim.
Since they're herbivores,
they don't focus on prey
like lions and leopards do.
If they attack,
it's usually
an act of self-defence.
In other words,
you don't want to piss off
a Cape buffalo.
They are extremely
ill-tempered,
and when it comes to females
they won't hesitate to charge
if they or their calf
feels threatened.
They've even been known
to target vehicles
that get too close.
Sometimes out of anger,
and sometimes out of fear
or while being chased
by apex predators like lions.
But even the mighty lion
is no match for this
fearsome bovine.
Herds of Cape buffalo
have taken down
entire prides,
goring or trampling
every lion in their sight
as they steamroll
their way through.
Since they are very protective
of the young, weak or
injured members of the herd,
they will sometimes make
the first move
and chase down predators
that dare cross their path.
In situations like these,
a Cape buffalo will even
continue to attack
when injured,
sometimes fighting
until its very last breath.
In addition to their
daunting size
and quickness,
it is their incredibly
strong horns that make them
such efficient killers.
Draped over the sides
of their heads like,
well, a cape,
these are built for fighting.
It takes about 10 years
for their horns to become
fully formed.
As they grow,
the adolescent buffalos
will use them to play
and fight for seniority.
The bull with the
biggest horns,
Or you might say
“the horniest”.
some of which can grow up to
1 m (3 ft) across,
is usually the dominant male
among the herd.
They are used as
both weapons
and shields.
Unfortunately, there is not
much a person can do
once an angry Cape buffalo
has trained its eye on you.
They are nearly unstoppable.
In some parts of the body,
their hide is up to
5 cm (2 in) thick,
which helps protect them
from chomping fangs
or the horns of other
confrontational Cape buffalo.
The only sure-fire way
to save yourself is
to shoot it in the head.
Everywhere else is protected
by that all-natural armor.
So my advice to you
on how to not get killed?
Don't hunt them.
Because a threatened
Cape buffalo
is a dangerous Cape buffalo.
These aren't the only
oversized animals
at risk in Africa.
Watch another episode
of Crazy Creatures
to find out why this rhinoceros
is being held upside down.
Killing hunters
and charging vehicles
is what cape buffalos do
when they are threatened.
And that's what makes them
Crazy Creatures.