cape buffalo
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Definition
Noun: * Cape Buffalo: A large, often aggressive, wild bovine (Syncerus caffer) native to southern and eastern Africa. It is characterized by its heavy build, dark color, and distinctive horns that curve upward and inward, forming a continuous bony shield across the top of the head. It is primarily found in game reserves and protected areas.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The herd of cape buffalo moved slowly across the savanna.
- Hunters consider the cape buffalo one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.
- We saw a large cape buffalo with impressive horns at the waterhole.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in wildlife conservation and hunting contexts to distinguish this specific African species from other buffalo, such as the Asian water buffalo.
- In ecological writing, it is frequently mentioned as a key species for maintaining grassland habitats and as a primary food source for large predators like lions.
Variants and Related Words
- African Buffalo: A more general, synonymous term for the same species.
- Syncerus caffer: The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
- Buffalo (noun): A broader term that can refer to several large bovines, including the cape buffalo, the Asian water buffalo, and the American bison (colloquially).
Synonyms
- African Buffalo
- Black Death (a colloquial nickname used by hunters due to its dangerous reputation)
Related Phrases & Idioms
- Member of the Big Five: In African safari terminology, the cape buffalo is one of the "Big Five" game animals, a group historically considered the most dangerous and prized by hunters. The others are the lion, leopard, elephant, and rhinoceros.
Noun
- large often savage buffalo of southern Africa having upward-curving horns; mostly in game reserves