Quick answer
The water buffalo is a massive bovine domesticated across Asia for milk, meat, and draft work, with wild Asian populations wallowing in muddy pools to cool off. Adults reach 700 kg (1,540 lb), live about 25 years, and charge up to 48 km/h when threatened. Wild Bubalus arnee is Endangered.
Key takeaway
The water buffalo is a massive bovine domesticated across Asia for milk, meat, and draft work, with wild Asian populations wallowing in muddy pools to cool off. Adults reach 700 kg (1,540 lb), live about 25 years, and charge up to 48 km/h when threatened. Wild Bubalus arnee is Endangered.
Water Buffalo overview
Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is a mammal listed here as Endangered. Typical weight 300–700 kg (660–1,540 lb); wild bulls largest; lifespan around 20–25 years (domestic); wild populations shorter.
Water Buffalo ecology
Diet: Herbivore — grasses, aquatic plants, and sedges. Habitat: Wetlands, rice paddies, and floodplains in Asia. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Water Buffalos and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild water buffalos are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Endangered. See the full Water Buffalo profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild water buffalos.
Human interest and research
Water Buffalos feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Sources
Water Buffalo FAQs
What are key facts about water buffalos?
The water buffalo is a massive bovine domesticated across Asia for milk, meat, and draft work, with wild Asian populations wallowing in muddy pools to cool off. Adults reach 700 kg (1,540 lb), live about 25 years, and charge up to 48 km/h when threatened. Wild Bubalus arnee is Endangered.
What is the scientific name of the water buffalo?
Bubalus bubalis — used in research and conservation listings for water buffalos.
What do water buffalos eat?
Water Buffalos eat grasses, aquatic plants, and sedges, with seasonal and regional variation in Wetlands, rice paddies, and floodplains in Asia.
Where do water buffalos live?
They are associated with Wetlands, rice paddies, and floodplains in Asia. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of water buffalos?
Listed in our guides as Endangered. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.