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Anoa bull is very small, but fear on local residents can be very serious, especially when the mating season begins. Indeed, despite the small growth, this is still a buffalo, although it refers to dwarf ones.
Description
Dwarf buffalo belong to artiodactyl mammals. Scientists conditionally divided them into several types:
- Mountain. In length reach from 122 to 153 cm, weight about 150 kg. The horns of this species are round, not so large - from 15 to 20 cm. Animals, due to the fact that they live in a mountainous, and therefore colder, local area, are covered with thicker wool that does not allow to freeze.
- Plain, or lowland. Their total length is 180 cm, weight on average can be 300 kg. These individuals also differ in that they have triangular horns, and their length is from 8 to 40 cm.
The growth of anoa resembles a large dog, since its height at the withers reaches an average of one meter, the mountains are even less - up to 75 cm. But these animals are very hardy, strong and strong, with a well-developed physique. Although the body looks massive, but it is quite compact. The muzzle is elongated, the head is very small, the eyes are wide apart. The horns, directed back, are flat straight lines, only slightly bend up and back. The legs are thin, but slender, strong and strong.
The color is usually either black or dark brown, but always in the part of the abdomen is slightly lighter than on the back. There are individuals that have light visible marks on the legs, in the throat and on the head.
The coat of dwarf buffalo is almost absent - only rare coarse and coarse hair. But all this is compensated by a thick elastic skin. But the kids have a lot of wool - it is thick, brown with a golden hue.
These animals live up to 20 years. If they are kept in captivity, it is necessary to create ideal conditions, only then anoa can adapt and survive.
Hard island life
Lowland species Anoa love forests with a high percentage of wetland or grassy wetlands.
The activity of animals occurs most often in the morning hours, until the hot hours have come, and then in the evening. Only a feeling of danger or hunger can push an animal to move around the area.
Anoa day passes, it can be said, in complete idleness: they find a place in the shade, especially if it is swampy cool mud, and bask there. This method also helps them hide from various blood-sucking insects that do not allow animals to live. Birds, which are allowed to hunt directly on the skin, save from ticks and other unpleasant parasites of animals, bringing anoa incredible relief. Basically, these are the birds, which they call it - buffaloes, or drags.
If you suddenly need to hide from a predator, the anoa will turn out to be very bad, since they do not know how to move quickly. Their usual movement is a power slow walk. Clumsy running in most cases ends with the animal becoming the prey of some predator. True, they defend their lives to the last breath, courageously resisting even a large animal.
Food
The main food of dwarf buffalo is not particularly diverse. These animals are not bloodthirsty, in their diet only plant foods.This is, first of all, the sprouts and leaves of trees, ferns, various fruits, especially those that have fallen from tall trees. Mini buffalos love to enjoy algae and other plants growing near and in the water.
Marriage time
Anoa can start a race, regardless of the period of the year. This time passes very rapidly: the males become aggressive, where does the usual calm disposition go! In order for the female to pay attention to him, the male is ready to arrange fights, mainly with the help of horns, constantly. Such skirmishes are sometimes too harsh, and most often occur between young buffaloes, and their behavior during this period is very unpredictable, which the local population already knows about and tries to avoid the place where the rivalry takes place.
At first, for several months, the cub eats only breast milk, then gradually begins to switch to the nutrition inherent in adults. The female leads the baby to places where there is abundant vegetation, and while the child is eating, it watches the area so that in case of danger it can be able to protect it in time.
Mom and a new member of the collective return to the herd rather quickly, but it will be more than a year before the female stops taking care of the baby, teaching him various skills and the ability to avoid dangers.
Endangered species must be saved
Anoa is constantly endangered by humans. Local residents pursue the animal because of its skin or tasty meat, often used for this ritual action. Visiting travelers arrange hunting contests, finding easy and quick profit in this.
When this species began to disappear, scientists sounded the alarm, international conservation organizations were connected. As a result, many animals were placed in protected areas, and now strict accounting is periodically carried out so that a completely critical situation does not occur.
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