Other than horns, Cape Buffalo ears must have a story.

[Neil Molendyk]

So when hunting I believe its all about the hunt, the memories you get from it, the friends you make and the trophies the you collect. Having been to Africa a few times each trip is an adventure and if you take the time to listen, the PHs, the trackers, skinners all have an intimate knowledge that they all want to share with you. One thing that I had heard over again was that elephants are either left hand or right hand dominant, and if you observe the wear on they tusks , the side which is worn down more is the dominant side. This is particularly evident in Namibia's arid area, the desert adapted elephants and the elephants residing in Etosha National Park. So I started wondering if the Cape Buffalo has the same characteristics, either left or right hand dominant. The ears on the one and only buffalo I shot are are tattered and torn, the left one much more so than the right. Does this mean he was left handed? This old fellow was taken in Makuya, behind the red fence and adjoining Kruger National Park and all it's predators. I suspect that this is also evident on buffalo from other places where their natural predators are resident.

This is the left ear

And this is the right

Please feel free to share pictures of your buffalo ears if you can. In my opinion they sure add character. I hope the taxidermist can replicate them on the mount.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

Very interesting.

 

[BeeMaa]

I've always wondered about that as well.
Seeing old worn down bulls with tattered ears.
Suppose predators grab whatever they can.
Possibly damaged from fighting other Buffalo as well.
Getting pinched between their horns.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Fascinating idea! I never would have thought of that But it certainly makes sense! I’ll have to check my photos.

Only “ear” shot. Looks like he’s either left sided, or lived a mellow life.

 

[R.M.C.]

That's a really interesting idea. No reason an animal couldn't be right or left handed. (Or hooved)

 

[Neil Molendyk]

I've always wondered about that as well.
Seeing old worn down bulls with tattered ears.
Suppose predators grab whatever they can.
Possibly damaged from fighting other Buffalo as well.
Getting pinched between their horns.

I'm thinking for the Makuya bull it was lions. His back and sides were full of scars. His scrotum even had a cut in it, probably 2 inches long and 1/8 inch deep. Now that's too close for comfort. It pays to have thick skin

 

[BeeMaa]

I'm thinking for the Makuya bull it was lions. His back and sides were full of scars. His scrotum even had a cut in it, probably 2 inches long and 1/8 inch deep. Now that's too close for comfort. It pays to have thick skin

I notice you left that picture out.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

I notice you left that picture out.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

Sorry, didn't take a pic of the scrotal cut.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

I guess I did, notice on the top testicle, bottom of scrotum, might have to zoom in.