5 Things You Didn't Know About Water Buffalo

In the wild, water buffalo spend much of their day cooling off in the muddy waters of Asia’s tropical forest. Because of their proclivity for this marshy terrain, water buffalo have wide, splayed hooves that enable them to move freely in the mud without sinking too deeply. If food is scarce, buffalo will even dive for plants growing on the beds of lakes and rivers!

At their largest, bull water buffalo can clock in at 2,650 pounds with a height of 6 ft (not including their horns, thank you). Water buffalo cows are typically more petite ranging from 1,500 pounds and up. Their formidable stature and domestication by humans in order to plow fields has earned water buffalo of both genders the nickname of "The Living Tractors of the East."

Though domesticated buffalo are gentle enough to be milked (and even ridden), wild buffalo are notoriously aggressive and aren't afraid to face off with their only natural predators: tigers and lions. And they are fast! When threatened, water buffalo can reach speeds of 30 mph! 

Compared to standard cow's milk, water buffalo milk contains higher levels of protein, calcium, and iron while sporting less cholesterol and lactose. Though not yet a popular drink in America, it is commonly used to make delicious, Italian-style mozzarella cheeses! If you haven't tried any mozzarella di bufala, it's time to treat yourself. 

Around the world, water buffalo are still giving humans a helping hoof! Besides cows, water buffalo contribute a significant percentage of the global milk population. In some areas of the world (like South Asia), buffalo are even the principal source of milk!