Quick Take
- Newborn buffalo calves have a nickname that has nothing to do with their species, and once you know it, it's easy to see why. Meet the 'red dogs' →
- Buffalo pregnancies last an almost unbelievable length of time, and this is why spotting a newborn calf in the wild is so rare. See the gestation details →
- Male buffalo don't just stay with the herd. They follow a completely different social path once they reach maturity. Follow the males' journey →
- A baby buffalo's first hours of life set the pace for everything that follows, and the window for this is shorter than you'd think. Explore newborn calf life →
Watching a baby take his or her first steps is miraculous, no matter if it’s a human or an animal baby. Wobbly giraffe calves, adorable puppies, and other young taking their first steps toward independence are just too cute! A video on YouTube captures the moment a baby buffalo native to Africa was born.
The video, shared by Londolozi Game Reserve, shows a small buffalo calf surrounded by adult buffalo. The little calf stands up with a bit of nudging from an older buffalo, likely its mother. It takes some time for the baby to find its balance, as its legs are swaying and unsteady. The calf finally walks a few steps before falling down again in the grass. What a cutie!
Buffalo Gestation and Newborn Life
A buffalo’s gestation lasts nearly a year, at approximately 340 days! (No wonder a mother buffalo only gives birth once every few years.) When buffalo are born, they weigh about 30 to 70 pounds and learn how to stand within hours. They are called “red dogs,” according to the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, because their bright red coats stand out compared to the dark brown of adult buffalo.
A buffalo calf stays with its mother for 6-9 months until it’s weaned.
©ZeiMomArt/Shutterstock.com
Once the calf is born, it will stay close to its mother, drinking her milk until it is weaned around 6 to 9 months. After that, buffalo calves enjoy a diet similar to that of adult buffalo, including grass, weeds, herbs, and tree leaves. Also, adult buffalo typically drink between 30 and 55 liters of water per day, depending on their size and environmental conditions.
The Circle of Life
Young buffalo will continue to stay close to their mothers until they reach maturity at around 4 to 5 years of age. Female buffalo will then stick close to their herd, while male buffalo will wander off to join a “bachelor” or “bull” herd. The males may return during mating season, which can become competitive as bulls sometimes fight to establish dominance. The winner earns the right to mate, and then the reproductive cycle begins again.
