Animal Art

Cape Buffalo

(Syncerus caff)

There are two subspecies of African buffalo. The forest subspecies is about half the size of the savannah subspecies, which sees mature males stand up to 51/2 ft. at the shoulder, and weigh up to 1985 lb. The Cape Buffalo is not closely related to the Asian Water Buffalo, but its ancestry remains unclear. These creatures are one of the most dangerous animal in Africa. Aggressive, powerful and fast, demanding respect from even a pride of lions, they can run at speeds of up to 35 MPH. The horn span of a large African buffalo bull can exceed 3 ft. They are found in Ethiopia, Somalia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya and Tanzania.

Wildlife artist Kathie Miller has captured this brute using colored pencils.