The buffalo is several species of large wild cattle distinguished by their horns being flattened at the base and triangular in section. The typical African Buffalo (Synceros caffer) inhabits open bush country generally near rivers all over Africa south of the Sahara.
The common or Indian buffalo (Bubalus Buffelus or BosBubalus) is larger than the ox and with stouter limbs, originally from India, but now found in most of the warmer countries of the Eastern Continent. A full-grown male is a bold and powerful animal, quite a match for the tiger. The buffalo is less docile than the common ox, and is fond of marshy places and rivers. It is, however, used in tillage, draught, and carriage in India, Italy, etc. The female gives much more milk than the cow, and from the milk the ghee or clarified butter of India is made. The hide is exceedingly tough, and a valuable leather is prepared from it, but the flesh is not very highly esteemed.
Another Indian species is the arnee (Bubalus. ami), the largest of the ox family. The name buffalo is also applied to wild oxen in general, and particularly to the bison of North America. Research Buffalo
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Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Nature
Research Buffalo
