Water Buffalo

Researchers believe that the wild water buffalo, Bubalus arnee, was the ancestor of domestic water buffalo. They often visit water bodies where they can access softer, aquatic plants. Domesticated water buffaloes are often given supplementary feed, especially if used for milk or meat production.

They are active during the day and at night, depending on where they live. Most herds contain females and their babies, while males are more solitary. The wild water buffalo is classified as “Endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Conservation programs for wild water buffaloes are underway in several countries, focusing on habitat restoration and anti-poaching measures. Protected areas have been established, and there are initiatives to breed the wild water buffalo in captivity to improve their numbers. There are two different species of buffalo that go by the name “water buffalo,” the domestic water buffalo and the wild water buffalo. However, we call the domestic version simply “water buffalo” more frequently than the wild species. When part of a farmer’s herd, buffalo eat anything available at the farm; including the hay and food grains that other farm animals feed on. The water buffaloes also eat seaweed and other water plants while lying in the water bodies.

There are several countries with large populations of these creatures. The highest populations live in India, Pakistan, China, Egypt, Nepal, Iran, Myanmar, Italy, Turkey, and Vietnam. These large bovines require only one factor to survive in a particular habitat, water!

Julien is an exploration-minded, curiosity-driven traveler and blogger.

While wild water buffalo are in danger of extinction, domestic water buffalo are not. Like other domestic animals, water buffalos have been changed through thousands of years of coevolution with humans. Much like dogs still resemble wolves, water buffalo still resemble their wild counterparts. However, due to their more docile nature, domestic water buffaloes are the preferred working animal for many farmers across parts of Asia and the Middle East. Water buffalo spend quite of bit of time in the water whether they are swimming, traversing a river, or wallowing in the mud.

The smaller size of species like the pig may have contributed to their survival into the human era – since humans wiped out the last auroch ages ago. For this reason, we will be focusing on the domesticated species Bubalus bubalis instead of the wild Bubalus arnee. The water buffalo is a beautiful member of the bovine family that has been an integral part of human history Check this for What do animals eat in the ocean for over 5,000 years. The buffalo eats grasses, shrubs and bushes as well as any hay or grains the farmer might provide to it. They have many uses on a farm including helping with crops, providing milk and cheese as well as providing meat and leather. Wild water buffaloes are larger, have longer horns, and are generally more robust compared to their domestic counterparts.

Breeding in water buffaloes is usually seasonal, aligned with environmental conditions like the onset of the rainy season. Their diet consists of various types of grasses and grains, along with fruits and aquatic plants when available. Water buffaloes are social animals that usually live in herds, which are often matriarchal.

The domesticated form is much more numerous and is not considered at risk. Most water buffalo work in close proximity to humans for milk production or field plowing. Depending on the area, women usually care for the milk production buffalo, while men work with the working buffalo. Since they are majorly found in Asia and Africa, due to the humid weather the buffaloes spend a lot of time laying in still water bodies. These animals have specially designed hooves that help them wade through the thick mud in the swamps and water bodies.

Males are generally larger and have thicker horns compared to females. A fully-grown male can weigh up to 2,650 lbs (1,200 kg) while females generally weigh around 1,650–2,200 lbs (750–1,000 kg). The water buffalo is not just a peaceful bovid from Asia – it is also the perfect example of several important biological concepts. The different breeds have slightly different reproductive rates and habits. The weaning process varies from breed to breed, and region to region.

While Cape Buffalo move in large herds across parts of Africa, water buffalo are more adapted to the wet, tropical conditions of Southeast Asia. Wild water buffalo are at-risk and live only in a small number of protected areas stretching across India, Nepal, and Bhutan, and a wildlife reserve in Thailand. And populations are likely to diminish as they are interbred with domesticated water buffalo. Water buffalo spend much of their day submerged in the muddy waters of Asia’s tropical and subtropical forests. Their wide-splayed hoofed feet prevent them from sinking too deeply in the mud and allow them to move about in wetlands and swamps. These marshes provide good cover and rich aquatic plants to forage on, although water buffalo actually prefer to feed in grasslands on grass and herbs.

Females normally produce calves every other year, after a gestation of 9 to 11 months. Young bulls typically remain with maternal herds, which consist of around 30 buffalo, for three years after birth. Water buffalos do not make particularly good house pets, but they are good farm animals.

Due to their docile nature, water buffalo have been domesticated for thousands of years – if not longer. The wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is the domestic water buffalo’s closest relative, though it is Endangered in the wild. With only a few thousand individuals left, this species faces an unpredictable future. The two types of domesticated water buffalo came about approximately 5,000 and 4,000 years ago. Humans domesticated the first type in India, and the second type in China.

These large members of the Bovidae family are related to bison, cows, antelope, wildebeest, sheep, goats, and more. She has a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and masters degree work in large animal reproduction. Currently, she lives in Southern California where she enjoys all things outdoors. This milk is also used to produce all kinds of dairy products like butter, cheese, cream, ghee, etc. Buffalo milk is used to make the famous cheeses in the world like ricotta, mozzarella, etc.

Water buffaloes eat reeds, Arundo donax, a kind of Cyperaceae, Eichhornia crassipes, and Juncaceae. Donax, are a major problem in some tropical valleys and by eating them, the water buffaloes may help control these invasive plants. Water buffaloes are highly adaptable but they do prefer areas with abundant water. Wet grasslands, marshes, and river valleys make ideal habitats for these animals.

There is a vast variety of these animals as they have been the most interbred mammals. Water buffaloes are highly adapted to aquatic environments, which helps them regulate their body temperature and protect against parasites. Second, wet mud provides effective relief against the prevalent heat of the tropics. Water buffalo will roll in the mud, coating themselves effectively. These animals do not have a mating season, but usually avoid breeding in extremely hot conditions.