The term “buffalo” refers to a group of large, dark-coated, ox-like mammals that belong to the family Bovidae, which also includes domestic cattle and bison. These animals are powerful herbivores characterized by their substantial build and impressive horns. To determine how many types of buffalo exist, their scientific classification divides them into two main genera based on geographic origin. The true buffalo population is split between Africa and Asia, each featuring distinct species.
Clarifying the Terminology of Buffalo
The most common confusion surrounding buffalo stems from the misapplication of the name to the North American bison. The animals found in Yellowstone National Park and other areas of North America are scientifically classified as bison, belonging to the genus Bison. True buffalo, often called Old World buffalo, are indigenous only to Africa and Asia. Bison possess a large shoulder hump, a shaggy beard, and shorter horns, features absent in true buffalo.
The true buffalo lineage is divided into two distinct genera: Bubalus (Asian species) and Syncerus (the single African species). This taxonomic distinction establishes that the African and Asian buffaloes evolved separately.
The Diverse Species of Asian Buffalo
The genus Bubalus features the most diversity, including several distinct species, most notably the Water Buffalo, the Tamaraw, and the Anoa species. The largest and most widespread type is the Water Buffalo, which exists in both wild and domesticated forms. The wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is found in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, known for its massive, sweeping, crescent-shaped horns. The domesticated form (Bubalus bubalis) is further divided into river and swamp types, valued globally for their milk, meat, and use in agriculture.
The Anoa are often referred to as dwarf buffalo, representing the smallest species of wild cattle. They are endemic to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and its nearby islands. The Lowland Anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) prefers swampy and forested areas at lower elevations. The Mountain Anoa (Bubalus quarlesi) is slightly smaller with a woollier coat and prefers higher-altitude montane rainforest habitats.
Another unique Asian buffalo type is the Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis), found exclusively on the island of Mindoro in the Philippines. This species is slightly larger than the Anoa but smaller than the Water Buffalo, possessing straight, V-shaped horns that are short and thick. These four distinct wild forms illustrate the complex speciation within the Asian genus.
The African Buffalo: A Single Species with Regional Types
In contrast to the Asian buffalo, the entire African buffalo population belongs to a single species, Syncerus caffer, commonly known as the Cape Buffalo. This species is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, inhabiting diverse environments from savanna to dense forest. Although classified as one species, it is generally divided into four major regional subspecies that exhibit noticeable physical variations.
The Cape Buffalo (S. c. caffer) is the largest and most recognizable subspecies, distinguished by its massive size and the characteristic fused horn bases that form a protective shield, known as a “boss,” across the male’s head. Found mainly in the savannas of East and Southern Africa, these animals can weigh up to 870 kilograms. The Forest Buffalo (S. c. nanus) is the smallest type, with a reddish coat, smaller body size, and horns that are less massive and rarely form a boss.
The other two recognized subspecies are the Sudan Buffalo (S. c. brachyceros) and the Nile Buffalo (S. c. aequinoctialis). Both are considered intermediate in size and features between the Cape and Forest types. The Sudan buffalo is found in the drier savannas of West and Central Africa, while the Nile buffalo occupies areas around the Nile basin.
Global Conservation Status and Habitat
The conservation status of the world’s wild buffalo types ranges from Near Threatened to Critically Endangered. The African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, with numbers generally stable in protected areas across savanna and forest habitats. The main threats include habitat fragmentation and disease transmission from domestic livestock.
The Asian wild types face more severe risks, primarily due to habitat loss and interbreeding with domesticated water buffalo.
Critically Endangered and Endangered Species
The Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee), which inhabits waterlogged grasslands and swamps, is listed as Endangered, with fewer than 4,000 mature individuals remaining globally. The Anoa species, endemic to Sulawesi, are also classified as Endangered (both Lowland and Mountain Anoa). They are found in fragmented patches of forest and are vulnerable to illegal hunting. The Tamaraw of the Philippines is classified as Critically Endangered, with only a few hundred individuals remaining on Mindoro Island.