The Cape Buffalo, Syncerus caffer, is one of Africa’s most dangerous and bad-tempered animals. For the unwary, it is black death in the yellow grass. Excellent eyesight and hearing and a phenomenal sense of smell make the buffalo almost impossible to take by surprise. Adult males weigh around 625 kilos, or close to 1,380 lbs, and females around 530 kilos, or 1,170 lbs. The males stand close to 57 inches, or 145 centimetres at the shoulder, and the females about 5 centimetres, or 2 inches, less. Buffalo are fast and maneuverable and are a serious threat to both humans and other predators. One on one, they are more than capable of killing a lion. Lone bulls or small bachelor groups are the most likely to attack humans. Their main predators are lions and hyenas.