Dwarf Zebu
Fast Facts
Common Name: Dwarf Zebu
Scientific Name: Bos primigenius
indicus
Family: Bovidae
Order: Artiodactyla
Class: Mammalia
Range: Originally from South Asia,
particularly India
What do they look like?
The dwarf zebu is a breed of domestic cattle that is descended from the zebu, one of
the world’s oldest cattle breeds. Unlike horses which are measured from the
shoulder, dwarf zebus are measured by the hip and cannot exceed 42 inches at this
point. The females typically weigh between 250-400lbs while the males can be up to
600lbs. They are usually grayish 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 medium length legs, 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 on their withers. If
food and water is scarce, they can live off the fat stored in their hump.
How do they behave?
Dwarf zebus are domestic animals and are known for being manageable, though
sometimes they may be stubborn. 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 plows and carts. Unless they are working, dwarf
zebus are not very active animals. They spend their time grazing, resting, and
chewing their cud.
What’s on the menu?
Dwarf zebus are grazers, eating grasses and various other plant matter. They are
ruminants, which means they swallow their food before completely chewing it. Their
first stomach semi-digests the plant product. Then the ruminant 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. At the zoo, they eat grass hay, timothy hay pellets, and occasionally
grain and fruit.
How are they born?
Dwarf zebus reach sexual maturity at about 18 months old. After mating, the female
will go through a gestation of about 290 days, after which she will bear a single calf,
or occasionally twins.
What should you know about them?
Habitat: Tropical grasslands,
farmlands
Lifespan: Approximately 20 years
Conservation Status: Stable
There are around 75 breeds of zebu worldwide! 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.