The African forest buffalo (Syncerus caffer nanus) is the smallest subspecies of the African buffalo. Although related to the Cape buffalo, West African savanna buffalo and Central African savanna buffalo, it is much smaller, weighing in at 250 to 320 kg (550-705 lbs) compared to Cape buffalos that weigh anywhere from 400 to 800 kg (880-1760 lbs). They can be further distinguished from the other subspecies by their reddish brown hide that is darker in the facial area, and the shape and size of their horns.
African forest buffalo live in the rainforests of Western and Central Africa; however, their home ranges typically consist of a combination of marshes, grassy savannas, and the wet African rainforests. Savannas are the preferred area for grazing, while they enjoy wallowing in marshes. They rarely venture from unbroken forest canopy, preferring to spend most of their time in bais and clearings, grazing on grasses and sedges
African forest buffalo live in relatively small herds between 3 to 30, compared to Cape buffalo that can number over a thousand. A typical herd consists of one or occasionally two bulls, and a harem of female cows, juveniles, and calves. Unlike the Cape buffalo, forest buffalo bulls remain with the herd continually, year round, and usually remain in the same herd for their entire lives.
