Water Buffalo

Bubalus bubalis

The Water Buffalo, scientifically known as Bubalus bubalis, is a large bovid native to the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and parts of China. Renowned for its significant role in agriculture, this robust species is especially valued for its strength and ability to work in diverse terrains. Water buffalo have a distinctive appearance characterized by their sweeping, crescent-shaped horns, broad body, and thick, dark hide. Typically, they weigh between 600 to 1,200 kilograms, with males being larger than females. These animals are well-adapted to marshy environments and often found in swamps, forests, and grasslands. Water buffalo are primarily grazers, feeding on grass, reeds, and aquatic plants. Their excellent adaptability to humid conditions and prowess in plowing flooded rice fields have made them indispensable in many rural economies. Moreover, they provide valuable dairy products like buffalo milk, rich in fat and flavor. Social creatures by nature, water buffalo usually travel in herds. Despite their formidable size, they are typically calm and interact well with humans, making them a vital livestock species in many cultures.