Exotic Animal Field Guide: Nonnative Hoofed Mammals in the United States

Animal Profiles: Cattle

CATTLE African Cape buffalo Banteng Gaur Water buffalo Yak African Cape buffalo male. Note wide boss at base of horn. Photo by Christian Mungall, courtesy of the 777 Ranch, Texas. African Cape buffalo female. Note boss that denotes a senior female. Photo by Christian Mungall, courtesy of the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, Texas. 223 Name: African Cape buffalo, Syncerus caffer caffer Origin and Status: Africa; largest of several African buffalo races; survival is conservation dependent (IUCN). Description: Massive, black, ox-like animal with big, fringed ears. Smooth horns on all adults curve down and then circle back up again, the boss over the forehead growing particularly heavy in large males. Moderate horn span 39 in. Very large 47 and up. Record 593 /8 in. Male weight 935 to 1,985 lbs.; female 933 to 1,200 lbs. Food Habits: Grazer. Prefer tall, coarse grasses. This helps other animals get shorter grasses that may be more palatable for them. Take some browse. Habitat: Grassland and open savannah near permanent water. Typically in tall grass. Water and Climate: Water dependent . Stay within one day of water, especially when food is dry. Hot conditions acceptable where they have water and shade. Temperament and Compatibility: Very social. Live in large mixed groups (up to 2,000 where populations are high). Subgroup members seek direct contact, even resting heads on each other when sleeping. Generally keep to themselves. Can cause trouble by monopolizing a waterhole. Can be dangerous to humans on foot, especially if surprised at close quarters. Special Considerations: Body condition needs to be good for conception rates to be high, regardless of forage quality at breeding time. A drain on energy reserves, as when food value of grasses declines during the dry season, can lower immune system defenses such that parasites or diseases that buffalo have been carrying without symptoms become a problem very quickly. Wild Cape buffalo seem notably resistant to malignant catarrhal fever and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, although bovine tuberculosis can be devastating. Only a low percentage of wild buffalo test positive for brucellosis. All adults likely to respond to any distress call. Estrous cycle about 23 days. Breeding Season: Rut toward end of rains (April to May in East Africa) where rains seasonal, otherwise breed all year. Birth Season: Peak mid long rains when forage good (March to May in East Africa). Two peaks where two rainy seasons. Otherwise births any time. Gestation and Young Per Birth: 111 /2 mo.; 1 young. Sexual Maturity: Male 21 /2 to 3 yr.; female 3 to 4 yr. Fencing: 6 to 8 ft. ordinarily adequate. African Cape Buffalo Banteng male. Low and bald between horns, white rump patch. Photo by Elizabeth Cary Mungall, courtesy of the White Oak Plantation, Florida. Banteng females. Reddish orange coat and modest horns compared to male. Photo by Elizabeth Cary Mungall, courtesy of the White Oak Plantation, Florida. 225 Name: banteng, Bos javanicus Origin and Status: Southeast Asia; endangered (IUCN, USFWS). Description: Large, often dimorphic, wild ox with white rump and white stockings. Modest dorsal ridge to midback. Some or all males turn dark brown to black in most races. Otherwise tawny. Females and youngsters a bright reddish orange. Very occasionally, stockings and rump patch missing or darker than rest of coat, or small white spots on the brown coat. Born reddish or yellowish with a black streak likely on the back. Area between the horns low, bald, and somewhat horny. Horns round and smooth. Male horns develop wavy ridges near base. Average length 24 in. for males (record 341 /2) and as much as 12 in. for females. Curved spikes of females follow plain of face backward. Male 1,100 to 2,000 lbs.; female about 882 to 1,340 lbs. Food Habits: Grazer, although also browse. Grasses are staple for much of the year. Prefer young bamboo shoots, and other new growth available during the monsoon. Visit salt licks. Habitat: Favor lightly forested flat to gently rolling terrain with glades of grass and bamboo. Retreat into dense thickets during the day to ruminate. Ascend into gladed hill forests during the monsoon to feed on tender bamboo shoots. Return to grassy valleys in the dry season. Water and Climate: Manage in their dry deciduous woodlands without unusual dependence on water. Came from hot conditions as natives. Temperament and Compatibility: Wary. Bold enough to...