Zebu

Zebu are the humped cattle of South Asia and the tropics, often classified as Bos indicus or as the indicus type within domestic cattle. They are recognized by a shoulder hump, loose dewlap, larger ears in many breeds, and strong tolerance of heat, sun, and seasonal feed shortages. Zebu ancestry appears in many named breeds, including Brahman, Gir, Sahiwal, Guzerat, Nelore, and Afrikaner-influenced composites, used for milk, meat, draft power, and crossbreeding.

In hot climates, zebu and zebu-cross cattle can be easier to maintain than temperate taurine breeds because they cope better with heat load, ticks, and coarse forage. They are not all the same, however: some lines are dairy types, others are beef or working cattle, and temperament varies with breed and handling. Management should account for horns in many populations, later maturity in some lines, and the need for calm facilities when cattle are less accustomed to close confinement. Crossbreeding programs often use zebu genetics to add heat tolerance while keeping carcass or milk traits from other cattle.