What Is a Group of Buffalo Called? Surprising Facts Behind the Name
A group of buffalo is called a herd, but there’s more to the story. Depending on regional use and context, terms like “gang” and “obstinacy” have also been used—particularly in literary or poetic references. While “herd” is the standard in scientific literature and wildlife biology, these other names reflect the awesomeness and sometimes chaos of buffalo when they move in numbers.
The term “obstinacy” likely comes from their unwavering defense behavior, especially when faced with predators. A stampeding group, charging lions or crossing rivers in full force, earns every bit of that name.
Did you know? The American bison is often called a buffalo, but it’s technically not a “true buffalo”. True buffalo are the African buffalo and the Asian water buffalo.
More Than a Herd: The Social Brilliance of Buffalo Groups
When you see a group of buffalo moving across a vast savanna or prairie, you’re looking at one of nature’s most organized social systems. Known for their strength and endurance, buffalo also have an amazing amount of social intelligence. A group of buffalo—whether called a herd, gang or obstinacy—is more than just a bunch of animals. It’s a living, breathing network of cooperation, survival instincts and strategic movement.
In places like the African savannas and North American plains, a single group of buffalo can be from a few dozen to over a thousand animals, working in silence to forage, reproduce and protect each other.
Scientific Classification and Geographic Distribution
Buffalo are not one singular species. Scientifically, the term “buffalo” refers to two primary types:
| Species | Scientific Name | Region |
| African buffalo | Syncerus caffer | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| American bison (often called buffalo) | Bison bison | North America |
Despite differences in appearance and genetics, both exhibit comparable group behaviors. African buffalo are known for large, tightly knit herds, while bison form seasonal migratory groups depending on habitat and resources.
Group of Buffalo Hierarchy: Dominance, Leadership, and Herd Structure
Within a buffalo group, social hierarchy plays a critical role in survival. Herds typically consist of:
- Dominant bulls: Usually older, stronger males who breed during mating season.
- Matriarchal females: Older cows often lead movement and make survival decisions.
- Subadults and calves: Younger buffalo who learn by observing and mimicking older herd members.
African buffalo display a “fission–fusion” society, where smaller groups (e.g., females and their calves) come together to form larger aggregations during specific seasons. Studies in Kruger National Park show that leadership can shift among individuals based on hydration needs, food availability, or predator threats—an adaptive feature not driven solely by dominance.
Communication and Social Bonds Within the Group
Buffalo communicate using an array of non-verbal cues and vocalizations. Tail flicks, body posture, and grunts can convey everything from irritation to coordinated movement signals.
Examples of Social Behaviors:
- Grunting: Used by cows to keep calves close.
- Body positioning: Signals warning or intention to challenge another buffalo.
- Play behavior: Young buffalo engage in mock fights, reinforcing social learning.
Calves are often cared for communally, with other females helping protect and guide them. This group effort increases survival chances and strengthens bonds.
Expert Insight: According to Dr. Rob Slotow (University of KwaZulu-Natal), “African buffalo rely more on social decision-making than brute force to thrive in unpredictable ecosystems.”
Mating and Reproduction
Buffalo mating is seasonal and tied to rainfall and food. In African buffalo, mating peaks at the end of the rainy season so calves are born during the best grazing time.
Key Mating Behaviors:
- Dominant bulls guard females in estrus and will physically fight off other bulls.
- Bulls form bachelor groups when not fighting for a mate.
- Gestation: 11 months.
- Calving: Most births occur in synchrony to reduce predation on newborns.
Calves are walking within minutes of birth and are quickly integrated into the group for protection. Researchers have seen mothers use unique vocalizations to their calves—early identity recognition.
Buffalo Herd Movement and Migration
A buffalo herd isn’t just socially connected—they’re geographically mobile. Movement is a survival strategy driven by water, grass and predation pressure.
- Daily routine: Buffalo graze during cool hours and rest in the shade at midday.
- Seasonal migration: In places like Serengeti, herds can move 300km in search of green pastures.
- GPS collaring studies show buffalo avoid areas where lions recently killed a member of the herd, they’ve learned to avoid.
Their movement also has ecological benefits—trampling the ground aerates the soil and dung fertilizes grazing areas, promoting biodiversity.
Defense and Safety in Numbers: How the Group Protects Itself
A group of buffalo is a fortress on hooves. Their famed “circle of defense” is a stunning example of collective protection.
Key Defense Tactics:
- Wall of horns: Adults form a ring around calves during predator threats.
- Vigilance sharing: Individuals take turns keeping watch while others graze.
- Offensive action: Bulls may charge lions, even fatally wounding them in defense.
Videos captured in Botswana and Kenya show herds chasing lions away and rescuing captured members. Their unity makes them one of the few herbivores that routinely face down apex predators—and win.
Human Interaction and Conservation Efforts
Buffalo herds are increasingly threatened by habitat fragmentation, disease, and poaching. But efforts are underway to conserve and understand them better.
Key Initiatives:
- Kruger National Park (South Africa): Home to ~30,000 African buffalo.
- Yellowstone National Park (USA): Protects the last free-roaming bison herd in the U.S.
- Translocation projects: Moving buffalo to create new herds and reduce disease spread (e.g., bovine TB).
Stat: The American bison once numbered over 30 million; today, only ~20,000 are truly wild and genetically pure.
Sustainable management and ecotourism now play crucial roles in funding their protection.
Buffalo vs. Bison: Is There a Difference in Social Grouping?
Though “buffalo” and “bison” are often used interchangeably, they differ significantly.
| Feature | African Buffalo | American Bison |
| Horn shape | Curved, fused base | Upward, separate |
| Behavior | Aggressive, group-living | Passive, migratory |
| Group size | 20–1000+ | 10–200 (depending on season) |
Both, however, form protective social units and follow a lead female or dominant male, depending on species and environment.
Key Takeaways
- A group of buffalo functions as a complex, hierarchical society.
- Mating is competitive but also strategic, ensuring genetic diversity and offspring survival.
- Movement is both adaptive and beneficial to the ecosystem.
- Collective defense makes them nearly untouchable in the wild.
- Conservation is essential to keep these iconic groups roaming freely.
In buffalo society, survival isn’t about individual strength—it’s about unity, cooperation, and the wisdom of the herd.
FAQs
What is a group of buffalo called?
A group of buffalo is commonly called a herd, though terms like obstinacy and gang are also used.
How large can a group of buffalo be?
It can range from 10 to over 1,000 individuals, depending on habitat and food availability.
Do buffalo stay together for life?
Females and their offspring stay in long-term groups, while males may join and leave seasonally.
How do buffalo protect themselves?
They form tight defensive formations and work together to deter predators like lions or wolves.
