The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), a species found across Asia, is commonly referred to as the Siamese buffalo in Thailand.

 Interesting Facts

Prominent Characteristics:

The water buffalo possesses coarse, short hair with skin coloration ranging from gray to black. A distinctive feature is their wide-set horns, which curve backward, with mature specimens potentially developing horns up to 150 centimeters in length. Their tail is elongated with dense terminal hair. The head is proportionally larger than the body, featuring a broad muzzle, small eyes, and small ears. Body measurements typically range from 240-300 centimeters in length, with an average height of 150-190 centimeters. Their mass varies considerably, ranging from 250-1,200 kilograms, with males exhibiting notable sexual dimorphism by being larger than females.

Primary Diet: 

The natural diet of water buffalo comprises grasses, herbs, aquatic vegetation, foliage, agricultural products, and various plant species that grow in or along rivers and streams. In captivity, their diet consists of grass, hay, vegetation, fruits, and leafy greens, supplemented with nutritional additives such as vitamin and mineral-enriched feed pellets.

Habitat:

The water buffalo is distributed across India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia. They predominantly inhabit tropical and humid forests characterized by high moisture content, grasslands, and wetland ecosystems, particularly around rivers and streams due to their significant water requirements. Additionally, they are maintained in agricultural settings, including farming communities and urban areas.

Reproduction: 

Females produce 1-2 offspring biennially, with peak breeding activity occurring in October and November. The gestation period extends from 300-340 days. Calves are weaned between 6-9 months of age.

Lifespan: 

The average life expectancy in the wild is approximately 25 years, while in captivity they can survive up to 29 years.

Conservation Status: 

May 14th is annually designated as "Thai Buffalo Conservation Day," commemorating the date when His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great first outlined the principles of the Cattle-Buffalo Bank Project.

            According to population data from the Information and Communication Technology Center of the Department of Livestock Development, as of April 2024, Thailand's water buffalo population stands at 1,817,289 individuals, with 311,303 registered buffalo farmers throughout the country.

Interesting Fact: 

In several countries, such as India and the Philippines, the water buffalo is considered a cultural symbol and plays a significant role in various rituals and festivals.