Water Buffalo Factoid...

The Water Buffalo is a very large ungulate. It survives in the wild in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand and is very widespread as a domestic animal in Asia, South America, North Africa and Europe. It is feral in northern Australia. Wild-living populations also exist in much of South-east Asia but their origin is uncertain: they may be the descendants of wild Water Buffalo, formerly domesticated ferals or a mixture of both. In Asia the population of wild Water Buffalo has become very sparse. Adults range in size from 300 kg to 1200 kg, although females typically weigh around 750 kg and males upwards of 1000 kg. Due to genetic isolation weights can vary greatly even in populations in close proximity. Buffalo seem to have originated from South Asia, from India to Indochina.

The classification of the Water Buffalo is uncertain. Some authorities list a single species, Bubalus arnee with two subspecies, the River (B. arnee bubalis) and Swamp (B. arnee carabanesis) Water Buffaloes; others regard them as closely related but separate species. The Swamp Buffalo has 48 chromosomes, and is mostly found in the eastern half of Asia. The River Buffalo is mostly found in western half of Asia, and has 50 chromosomes. Fertile offspring occurs between the two. It does not readily hybridise with cattle which have 60 chromosomes. Milk from both of these animals may be used by many peoples, and is the traditional raw material for mozzarella cheese. Water buffalo hide provides a tough and useful leather often used for shoes and motorcycle helmets.