The buffalos inhabiting savannas are highly gregarious. They form large nonterritorial herds which can number as many as 2000 members, although herds of several hundred are more common. The bigger the count of members in the herd the better the protection against the attacks of predators, especially lions. The forest buffalos don't have to fear the big predators, so they form small groups of up to 12 animals.
The buffalos play an important role for the savanna habitats. They feed on coarse grass left by other species. Thereby the buffalos make other kind of grass better accessible for animals like antelopes or zebras.
