Buffalo are large herbivores, recognized for their impressive size and their role in various ecosystems around the world. These animals, which include species like the African buffalo, water buffalo, and American bison, primarily sustain themselves on a plant-based diet. As grazers, they are adapted to consuming a large volume of vegetation found in their habitats, which fuels their substantial body mass and supports their active lifestyles.
Primary Forage
The bulk of a buffalo’s diet consists of grasses and sedges. These fibrous plants are found in the grasslands, savannas, and marshy areas where buffalo reside. African buffalo, for instance, have a diet that can be composed of 90-95% grass, even during dry seasons. American bison predominantly consume warm-season grasses on shortgrass pastures, and cool-season grasses and sedges can make up 79–96% of their diet in mixed prairies.
Buffalo consume large volumes of these plants daily to meet their energy requirements. An adult buffalo may ingest between 6.1 and 17.5 kilograms of dry forage each day, equating to approximately 1.8% to 2.5% of their live body mass. Their digestive systems are adapted to break down the complex carbohydrates found in these plants, allowing them to extract essential nutrients.
Supplemental Dietary Habits
While grasses form the foundation of their diet, buffalo also consume other plant materials as supplements, especially when primary forage is less abundant. During periods of scarcity, such as dry seasons, they may turn to tree bark, moss, and lichens. Forbs, which are herbaceous flowering plants other than grasses, also contribute to their diet.
Buffalo also consume leaves and twigs from shrubs or trees. Water buffalo, in particular, are known to consume aquatic vegetation like reeds, sedges, and marsh grasses, especially when grazing in watery environments or during floods. These supplemental foods provide additional nutrients when preferred grasses are scarce.
Feeding Behavior and Water Needs
Buffalo employ a specific technique for grazing; they use their tongues to grasp clumps of grass before tearing it. As ruminants, buffalo possess a four-chambered stomach system that allows them to process large quantities of fibrous plant matter. They initially swallow their food rapidly and then, at rest, regurgitate partially digested material, known as cud, to chew it thoroughly. This process, called rumination, helps to further break down plant fibers and aids nutrient absorption.
Water is essential to a buffalo’s daily life and influences their feeding patterns. They require daily access to water and cannot tolerate long periods without drinking. An adult African buffalo can consume 30-40 liters of water per day, and lactating water buffalo may drink 30-50 liters daily. Their reliance on water sources often dictates their habitat choice and grazing routes, as they tend to stay within a certain distance of water.
Dietary Variations
The specific diet of buffalo can exhibit variations based on the species, their habitat, and seasonal conditions. While African buffalo are primarily grazers, American bison also incorporate shrubs and bark into their diet. Water buffalo, distinct from other species, frequently incorporate aquatic plants into their diet due to their semi-aquatic habitats.
Environmental factors also influence food availability and selection. During dry seasons, when green leaves are less abundant, buffalo may shift to consuming a larger proportion of dry leaves, stems, or even woody browse. Their ability to utilize lower-quality vegetation during such times provides them with an advantage. These adaptations allow different buffalo species to thrive across various landscapes and climates.