Subtypes

While this image shows them as potentially different species (due to a paper released in 2021), for the purposes of ZARPG, they are considered two distinct subspecies as is currently agreed upon within the zoological community.

While this image shows them as potentially different species (due to a paper released in 2021), for the purposes of ZARPG, they are considered two distinct subspecies as is currently agreed upon within the zoological community.

Photo 313387510, (c) simben, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by simben https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/313387510

Syncerus caffer caffer

The cape buffalo is the largest subspecies of African buffalo and is found in southern and east Africa. They are the heaviest and tend to be the most aggressive. They are almost black with large horns.

Range: Their range is fragmented but they can be found throughout southern and east Africa. Their range overlaps with the forest buffalo and the Sudanese. 

Habitat: Savanna and grassland

Size: Cape buffalo can reach 870 kg (1920 lb) but tend to average from 590 kg to 751 kg.

Life Span: 11-22 years in the wild; 16-29 years in captivty.

Feeding: Herbivore

Reproduction: Polygynandrous. Mating can occur at any time but peak during wet seasons. They have a gestation period of 340 days and typically have 1 calf with twins being very rare. Calves can wean any time between 4 to 18 months depending on life circumstances, specifically if the mother is present or not. It takes calves 1-2 years for independence and they dont reach sexual maturity until 4.5 years for males and 5 years for females.

Conservation Status: Near threatened. Adapt readily to captivity.

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Photo 105521242, (c) Nik Borrow, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nik Borrow https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/105521242

Syncerus caffer nanus

The African forest buffalo is the smallest subspecies and the only one that occurs mainly in the rainforests. They are also more visually different, having a red-hide with horns that rarely fuse together.

Range: Their range is fragmented into two sections in west and central Africa. There is a small area of overlab with the cape buffalo near the Democratic Republic of Congo. A hybrid of the two subspecies have been seen in captivity.

Habitat: Marshes, savanna and rainforest

Size: Forest buffalo are the smallest weighing 250 to 320 kg (550 to 705 lbs).

Life Span: 11-22 years in the wild; 16-29 years in captivty.

Feeding: Herbivore

Reproduction: Polygynandrous. Mating can occur at any time but peak during wet seasons. They have a gestation period of 340 days and typically have 1 calf with twins being very rare. Calves can wean any time between 4 to 18 months depending on life circumstances, specifically if the mother is present or not. It takes calves 1-2 years for independence and they dont reach sexual maturity until 4.5 years for males and 5 years for females.

Conservation Status: Near threatened. Adapt readily to captivity.

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Full Classification:

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Photo 258450009, (c) Xavier Rufray, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Xavier Rufray https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/258450009

Syncerus caffer brachyceros

The Sudanese buffalo is a subspecies of African buffalo. It shares many similarities with the Cape buffalo.

Range: Their range, like many buffalo, is highly fragmented. They lie within Nigeria-Cameroon border and encompass northern Cameroon to the western edge of the Central African Republic. They share a contact zone with S. c. nanus (forest buffalo).

Habitat: Buffalo can inhabit any type of habitat as long as there is permanent water and grasses.

Size: Sudan buffalo tend to be an intermediate between forest and Cape buffalo, weighing around 400 kg (880 lb).

Life Span: 11-22 years in the wild; 16-29 years in captivty.

Feeding: Herbivore

Reproduction: Polygynandrous. Mating can occur at any time but peak during wet seasons. They have a gestation period of 340 days and typically have 1 calf with twins being very rare. Calves can wean any time between 4 to 18 months depending on life circumstances, specifically if the mother is present or not. It takes calves 1-2 years for independence and they dont reach sexual maturity until 4.5 years for males and 5 years for females.

Conservation Status: Near threatened. Adapt readily to captivity.

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Full Classification:

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By National Park Service - National Park Service, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29578464

Ursus americanus emmonsii

Glacier bears are a subspecies of American black bear with silver-blue or grey hair. They are endemic to Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, and the extreme southwest of the Yukon. Little knowledge exists of their extent and cause of colouration as well as no evidence supporting subspecies designation besides colour. Glacier bears can be silver blue to gray black. Bears are typically lighter on their backs and shoulders, with their legs and belly being dark.

Range: Their native range is the Alaskan coast, the extremity of British Columbia and Yukon. 

Habitat: Black bears have a preference towards habitats with thick vegetation, inaccessible terrain, and abundant sources of food. 

Size: 39.0-409 kg (85.90 to 900.88 lb); 120-200 cm (47.24 to 78.74 in)

Life Span: 10-32 years in the wild; 25-44 years in captivity

Feeding: Omnivore

Reproduction: Polygynous. Breeding season occurs from June to mid-July with the egg not implanted until autumn and gestation technically lasting only 10 weeks. Births occur in January and February, typically while the female is hibernating, to one to five cubs. Cubs are born blind and naked, remaining in the den with their mother and nurse throughout winter. Cubs are weaned around 6 to 8 months but remain with their mother until around 17 months when their mother forces them out of her territory. Females reach sexual maturity from 2 to 9 years old and males at 3 to 4 but continue to grow until 10 to 12 years old.

Conservation Status: Least concern. American black bears can adapt well to captivity as long as their habitat and enrichment requirements are met.

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By Maximilian Helm from Dresden, Deutschland - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44204868

Ursus americanus kermodei

Kermode bears are a subspecies of the American black bear. While most Kermode bears are black, there are hundreds of individuals with pale, blond fur. Their eyes and skin remain pigmented. Other colours include cream, orange, gold, or gray. White Kermode bears tend to have a higher success in fishing than black bears. 

Range: Kermode bears can only be found in Great Bear Rain Forest.

Habitat: Black bears have a preference towards habitats with thick vegetation, inaccessible terrain, and abundant sources of food. 

Size: 39.0-409 kg (85.90 to 900.88 lb); 120-200 cm (47.24 to 78.74 in)

Life Span: 10-32 years in the wild; 25-44 years in captivity

Feeding: Omnivore

Reproduction: Polygynous. Breeding season occurs from June to mid-July with the egg not implanted until autumn and gestation technically lasting only 10 weeks. Births occur in January and February, typically while the female is hibernating, to one to five cubs. Cubs are born blind and naked, remaining in the den with their mother and nurse throughout winter. Cubs are weaned around 6 to 8 months but remain with their mother until around 17 months when their mother forces them out of her territory. Females reach sexual maturity from 2 to 9 years old and males at 3 to 4 but continue to grow until 10 to 12 years old.

Conservation Status: Least concern. American black bears can adapt well to captivity as long as their habitat and enrichment requirements are met.

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Full Classification:

To read more visit Animal Diversity Web.