Water Buffalo Facts

Water buffalo, scientific name Bubalus bubalis, is a large bovine animal species, which is usually domesticated for meat, milk, horns, hides, transportation and also, for performing farming activities. It is native to Asian countries; later it has been introduced in Africa, Australia, America, Egypt and other European countries. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of the population of water buffalo are in Asia. Hence, it is commonly referred to as Asian water buffalo. Let's take a look at the amazing water buffalo facts.

Interesting Facts about Water Buffaloes

The coat color of water buffalo is dull grey; the hair are short, stiff and scanty. The size of a water buffalo measures to about 5-6 feet shoulder height. On an average, an adult water buffalo weighs about 500-900 kilograms. The male water buffaloes are larger than the females. Other than the size, the main distinguishing features between of a male water buffalo are presence of deep ridges on the body and long backward curving, crescent shaped horns. Though a female possesses horns, they are quite smaller than the horns of a male water buffalo.

The female matures after about 4-5 years, after which it gives birth to one calf in alternate years. The gestation period of water buffalo is about 9-11 months. The female suckles the young calves for more than a year. For about 3-4 years, the young calves remain together with their mother. After about 3 years, the male calf leave its mother and stay along with other male herds. In captivity, a water buffalo lives for nearly 25 years.

Based on the area of occurrence, water buffalo is grouped into different categories. The African water buffalo includes two forms of the same species (Syncerus caffer), the cape water buffalo and dwarf forest water buffalo. The former type is much larger in size than the latter type. Unlike the Asian water buffalo, both the African forms are not domesticated due to their dangerous nature. The predators of water buffalo in the wild are tigers, lions and crocodiles.

As the water buffaloes are naturally adapted to stay submerged in water, their occurrence in a particular habitat depends directly on the water availability. They are herbivores and feed on a wide variety of grasses and plants. One of the adapting features of water buffalo for spending in muddy and swampy areas is the spreading hoofed feet. The feet helps to prevent from sinking deep in the mud and also, to move freely in wetlands and swamps. They usually migrate in herds in case of water scarcity.

The meat of water buffalo is very tough, hence is usually cooked by slow cooking methods. Speaking about the water buffalo milk, it accounts to about 5 percent of the world's milk supply. Due to high fat content in the milk of water buffalo, it is an ideal raw material for preparation of yogurt, cheese, curd and other dairy products. Water buffalo horns are used for making indigenous musical instruments, while the hides are used as a leather source. The feces of this bovine mammal is also used as an eco-friendly fertilizer.

Because of degradation of natural habitat and excessive hunting for meat, the population of wild water buffalo (scientific name Bubalis arnee) has decreased tremendously. As per the wildlife conservationists, the number of wild water buffalo is reduced to about 20 percent in the last 14 years. Today, it is included in the IUCN Red Data list for endangered species. Nevertheless, domesticated water buffaloes can be found in different parts of Asia.