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Water buffalo Facts

Water buffalo Facts
Water buffalo is a member of the bovine family. It originates from southern parts of Asia, but it has been domesticated to the rest of the world few thousand years ago. Water buffalo live in muddy waters and swamps of tropical and subtropical areas of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand. Water buffalo is used as a transportation system for transfer of heavy loads and people. Because of that, it is also known as "tractor of the East". Other than that, water buffalo is often killed for its horns, meat and leather. Water buffalo is endangered species, with less than 4000 animals remaining in the wild.
Interesting Water buffalo Facts:
Water buffalo is a large animal. Males are three times bigger than females. They can reach 6.6 to 9.8 feet in height, and weight between 1500 and 2650 pounds.
Water buffalo is the second largest type of wild cattle that can be seen in the wild. Gaur is the largest species of the wild cattle.
Water buffalo is black or white in color. It has large, backward curved horns. Males have larger horns than females.
Horns of males are crescent-shaped with a ridge along the body of the horns. They can reach 5 feet in length.
Water buffalo uses its horns to protect against predators such as: tigers, lions and crocodiles.
Water buffalo is an herbivore (plant-eater). It eats aquatic plants, but it also grazes grass and eats different types of leaves and herbs.
Water buffalo has large hoofed feet which prevent sinking of the animal into the mud.
Water buffalos live in herds (groups) composed of few or larger number of animals. Life in the group provides protection against predators.
Due to high outer temperature, water buffalo spends majority of its day submerged in the muddy waters. This way, animal is able to keep its body temperature stable and prevent overheating.
Water buffalo can run very fast when it is faced with danger. Average speed of water buffalo is 30 miles per hour.
Mating season of water buffalo takes place during rainy season.
Females give birth to a single baby every second year after pregnancy lasting between 9 and 11 months.
Milk of water buffalo contains the greatest percent of fats compared to other species of wild cows. This is the reason why young water buffalos grow up very fast. Humans also use milk of water buffalo to produce different types of cheese.
Young water buffalos are tightly associated with their mothers in the first few years of their life. Males will leave their native herd to join bachelor herds (composed of only males) at the age of 3 years. Females usually stay with their mothers.
Water buffalo can survive up to 9 years in the wild and up to 25 years in captivity.


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