Dwarf zebu
There are around 75 breeds of zebu worldwide, and all breeds originate from South Asia and Africa where they are thought to be domesticated around 6000 B.C. They have been introduced to other areas of the world, such as Brazil. In India, they are considered sacred. Hindu religion teaches that the soul of a human being returns in each cow, and killing a cow is a crime. When zebus are too old to work, their owner simply turns them loose to wander until they pass away from natural causes, their lifespan can be as much as 20 years but averages between 12 to 16 years.
Dwarf zebu's are domestic cattle that is descended from the zebu, one of the world’s oldest cattle breeds. Zebus are measured at the hip, and they cannot exceed more than 42 in. (1.06 m) in order to be classified as dwarf. Dwarf zebus typically weigh between 200 to 300 lb. (90 to 136 kg). They are usually greyish white but can also be pale fawn, reddish brown or black. Males and females both have horns that point forward, unless removed, although the males’ horns are usually larger. They have droopy ears and thick skin that can withstand high temperatures and tick bites. They have a large flap of skin under their neck, called a dewlap, and a hump made of fat and muscle on their withers, the highest part of the back, at the base of its neck above the shoulders. If food and water is scarce, they can live off the fat stored in their hump.
Dwarf zebus are domestic animals and are known for being manageable. The milk and meat production of zebus does not rival that of other cattle breeds, but zebus serve as excellent draft animals. In India, they are commonly used to pull ploughs and carts. There are estimates that the 200 million+ zebus provide more power in that country than all of the Indian electric plants combined.
Unless they are working, dwarf zebus are not very active animals. They spend their time grazing on grasses and other vegetation or resting. They are ruminants, which means they swallow their food before completely chewing it. Their first stomach compartment semi-digests the plant product. Then the zebu regurgitates it and at this time it is referred to as cud. They will chew the cud again, and then swallow it once more. This helps the animal extract all the nutrition possible from the fibrous plant matter.
Females from the age of 18 months are able to bear a single calf, or occasionally twins after a gestation period of about 290 days.
Zebus have not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a result of their designation as a domesticated species.
Dwarf zebu
There are around 75 breeds of zebu worldwide, and all breeds originate from South Asia and Africa where they are thought to be domesticated around 6000 B.C. They have been introduced to other areas of the world, such as Brazil. In India, they are considered sacred. Hindu religion teaches that the soul of a human being returns in each cow, and killing a cow is a crime. When zebus are too old to work, their owner simply turns them loose to wander until they pass away from natural causes, their lifespan can be as much as 20 years but averages between 12 to 16 years.
Dwarf zebu's are domestic cattle that is descended from the zebu, one of the world’s oldest cattle breeds. Zebus are measured at the hip, and they cannot exceed more than 42 in. (1.06 m) in order to be classified as dwarf. Dwarf zebus typically weigh between 200 to 300 lb. (90 to 136 kg). They are usually greyish white but can also be pale fawn, reddish brown or black. Males and females both have horns that point forward, unless removed, although the males’ horns are usually larger. They have droopy ears and thick skin that can withstand high temperatures and tick bites. They have a large flap of skin under their neck, called a dewlap, and a hump made of fat and muscle on their withers, the highest part of the back, at the base of its neck above the shoulders. If food and water is scarce, they can live off the fat stored in their hump.
Dwarf zebus are domestic animals and are known for being manageable. The milk and meat production of zebus does not rival that of other cattle breeds, but zebus serve as excellent draft animals. In India, they are commonly used to pull ploughs and carts. There are estimates that the 200 million+ zebus provide more power in that country than all of the Indian electric plants combined.
Unless they are working, dwarf zebus are not very active animals. They spend their time grazing on grasses and other vegetation or resting. They are ruminants, which means they swallow their food before completely chewing it. Their first stomach compartment semi-digests the plant product. Then the zebu regurgitates it and at this time it is referred to as cud. They will chew the cud again, and then swallow it once more. This helps the animal extract all the nutrition possible from the fibrous plant matter.
Females from the age of 18 months are able to bear a single calf, or occasionally twins after a gestation period of about 290 days.
Zebus have not been evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as a result of their designation as a domesticated species.