A Cape Buffalo stands in the rain (Northern Serengeti).
Facing the storm
When a heavy rain pushes across the plains, most animals turn away, flee, or seek immediate shelter beneath the canopy. But not the Cape Buffalo (Syncerus caffer caffer). Their response to a downpour is unique—driven by a mix of buffalo biology, defensive instinct, and, I would suggest, the stubbornness of personality! Instead of looking for an escape, they prefer to take adversity head-on, stepping directly into the path of the oncoming elements.
The Kentucky Contrast: Angus vs. Buffalo
We used to have a herd of Black Angus cattle (a domestic bovine cousin of the Cape Buffalo) just over the fence by our old Kentucky home. It gave us a front-row seat to how different breeds handle a crisis. In a pelting rain, those Angus would turn away from the wind, presumably to protect their sensitive eyes and faces from the stinging drops. Consequently, they would slowly drift, moving in whatever direction the storm pushed them.
Cape Buffalo do just the opposite. When the horizon darkens, they intentionally square their massive shoulders and face the wind. Horns forward (see our post here on the buffalo boss), they either stubbornly “raw-dog” out the squall where they stand, or advance directly into it.
The Biology Behind the Bravery
Buffaloes have their reasons. While they possess exceptional hearing and an incredibly powerful sense of smell, their eyesight is notoriously poor over long distances. A heavy rain is a predator's best friend; it quickly washes away static scents on the ground and muffles the ambient noise of the bush. This effectively knocks down the buffalo's best defensive radar, leaving them highly vulnerable to stealthy apex predators like lions who use storms for cover.
Surviving the Storm Together
By turning into the wind, the buffaloes use the storm to their tactical advantage. The rushing air currents catch whatever fresh scent particles are traveling through the air ahead of them, acting as an early warning system for approaching danger.
To compensate for the temporary loss of their other senses, the members of the herd press their flanks together as tightly as possible. This collective movement eliminates gaps in their perimeter, turning a scattered group of individuals into an impenetrable defensive wall of muscle and horns that no lion would dare rush.
I’m thinking there is a sermon in here somewhere!
For more on the Cape Buffalo, see our post “‘Dagga Boys’: Understanding Cape Buffalo Bachelor Herds.”
Bible Land Explorers are headed back to Tanzania June 3-13, 2027. Lake Victoria, the Serengeti, and Ngorongoro Crater, are on our agenda as we photo-hunt big cats, small birds, and everything in-between. We are now receiving early registrations for this exclusive small-group adventure. See the link here for brochure and more information or email us at BibleLandExplorer@gmail.com.