Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Bovidae Scientific Name : Bubalus Bubalis Size : 2- 3m (6.6 - 9.8in) Weight : 400 - 900kg (880 - 2,000lbs) Top Speed : 48km/h (30mph) Life Span : 15 - 25 years Colour : Brown, Tan, Grey Skin Type : Leather Special Features : Large head and body and wallow in water holes
- Water buffaloes are native to Asia but have been introduced to Australia, Africa, Europe and North America.
- They belong to the family of Wild cows, of which the Yak, American Bison, African Buffalo and Zebu are a part.
- Distinctively, the male water buffaloes have large curved horns on top and are larger than the females.
- They have been domesticated by humans for carrying heavy loads and pulling heavy machinery.
- They are also farmed in many countries for their meat.
- There are around 150 million water buffaloes that are commercially farmed for their milk, meat and leather.
- Though, the wild Asian Water Buffalo is considered to be endangered.
- They spend most of the time submerged in water to keep themselves cool.
- The hooves of the water buffaloes are designed to prevent them from sinking in the riverbeds and swamplands.
- They are known to live in herds ranging from a few buffaloes to a to a hundred buffaloes.
- They have their natural predators in Tigers, crocodiles and lions.
- They are herbivores feeding on aquatic plants, grass, leaves and herbs.
- The female water buffaloes give birth to a single calf after a 11-month gestation.
- The baby calf is dependent on its mother for the first 2 years.