What is the first thing to come to mind when we think about India? Of course, the magnificent Taj Mahal, ancient yoga, bright Bollywood, dubious street food and, of course, amazing animals, which we consider typically Indian. These are elephants, tigers and, of course, huge buffalo. By the way, all these animals are also found in other countries of Asia, but this is not important. Today we will talk about the very water buffaloes that are so fond of showing in all documentaries about the nature of Hindustan.
You can just Arnie
Often these buffalo are called Indian, but this is incorrect. They live not only in India, but also in Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, as well as in the south of China. Nevertheless, most individuals still live in India-about 3,500 out of 4000. The correct name of the animal is an Asian buffalo, or in Latin Bubalus Arnee, which translates as Arnie.
Asian buffalo is considered the largest bull on Earth. The length of his body can exceed three meters, and the height at the withers reaches two. The weight of an adult male sometimes exceeds one and a half tons. The main feature of the buffalo is huge horns. These formidable “guns” can be waved by more than two meters. However, only males have horns. In females, they are either completely absent or very small. And the cows themselves are much fewer males.
The most unpleasant quality of Asian buffalo can be considered their ferocious temper. The bulls are very aggressive and can attack without a reason. Often people are the victims of these animals. You can be in the risk zone quite by accident, passing by the reservoir. One of the names of these artsical cities is a water buffalo. Animals prefer to graze in rivers and lakes and often plunge into the reservoir completely, leaving only nostrils, eyes and horns outside.
Dangerous on land and water
Immersion in water or dirt helps the buffalo not only escape from the heat, but also get rid of parasites. Often these animals are completely covered with crust of dirt, protecting themselves from annoying flying and crawling tormentors. In addition, they allow tsaps and turtles to help themselves cope with insects. These courageous assistants roam without fear over the giants lying off the shore, cleansing their skin.
Wide hooves help the buffaloes confidently stand even on a horseman bottom and in a marshy area. When the bull is angry, it is able to rush through the firebox with an incredible speed, like a locomotive. Most of all these animals love juicy plants that grow near the water or right in it. But sometimes they select on the fields and arrange real raids on agricultural land, causing serious damage.
Previously, in the water near the buffalo, you could often notice rhinos. These two formidable herbivores of the jungle coexisted peacefully with each other. But in recent decades, the number of rhinos has declined sharply, and now a meeting with them is a great luck. Buyls prefer to live in large groups, numbering from 15 to 25 individuals. There are also single males, which are considered especially dangerous.
A lonely adult buffalo in the jungle is almost afraid. In nature, these giants have practically no enemies. Even tigers rarely decide to attack them. But the calves often become tamping prey for predators – tigers, leopards and crocodiles are hunting for them. However, if the baby is next to his big family, getting to him becomes extremely difficult.
Buffalo and people
A man tamed the Asian buffaloes about 5 thousand years ago. During this time, different home forms have occurred from the wild ancestor, which today meet on almost all continents, except for Antarctica. The buffalo plays an important role in agriculture. In many moist regions of Asia, where other animals do poorly with work, it is indispensable. The fields plow the fields on the buffalo, harness them in carts and even use for riding.
The meat, skins and milk of buffalo are in great demand. Interestingly, the real cheese of Mozarella is made precisely from the milk of buffolin. Homemade buffalo is usually calmer than their wild relatives. They are smaller and lighter than forest counterparts, but if they are angry, they can also be dangerous.
Longhorn
By the way, the horns of home forms can be even larger than that of a wild. An example is the Longhorn breed. She owns an absolute record for the length of the horns – 2.4 meters each! In nature, such jewelry is an excess, because they will interfere with the wading through the thickets.
Asian buffalos are impressive creatures that have coexisted with a person for centuries, while remaining one of the most ferocious herbivores. Their strength, horns and disposition make them at the same time useful and dangerous neighbors. And what do you think, is it possible to completely tame such powerful animals, or will their wild essence will always prevail? Share your opinion in the comments!
See also – how the mutual assistance is manifested in wild buffaloes
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