Indian Buffalo Or Water Buffalo In Sri Lanka (Bubalus Bubalis Bubalis)

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Sinhalese: Wal Mee-Haraka, Mee-Haraka, Wal-Meema

Tamil: Kadu-Madu, Kadu-Errume

Description: The wild Buffalo is generally larger and darker than the domesticated type, standing about 150 cm at the shoulder and weighting about 900 kg. Their life-span is about 20 years. The adult is dark grey with very little hair, while the young are covered with thick brownish hair.

Distribution: The wild buffalo is found only in the more remote of the low country dry zone. Most of the herds seen are feral, or domesticated stock.

Habits: The females and their calves generally tend to from herds, but the older bulls are more solitary and territorial. They like to spend the day wallowing in muddy water-holes quietly chewing the cud, and feeding on grasses and herbs during the cool of the evening, at night and early morning. Their sense of smell is excellent, and their hearing and sight good.

Breeding: The gestation period lasts for 10 months, and usually one calf is born; sometimes two. They generally give birth about the middle of the year.

Comments

Anonymous said…
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May 16, 2013 at 7:08 PM
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