Bubalus mindorensis (Heude, 1888)

Tamarau

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR) external link Showing: scientific names

Media Center Navigation

Classification : Text | Graphic |
  

Table of Contents

Overview

Biology

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
ARKive external link
Copyright
Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008. Some rights reserved external link
Source URL
View original data object external link

The rare and wary tamaraw is largely a solitary animal (2) (4), although it may be seen in pairs during the breeding season or in small groups of four to seven individuals when feeding (4). It is said to rest in dense vegetation during the day and then emerge at night fall to feed (5). The tamaraw's diet is known to include grasses (4), but it may also feed on ferns, saplings, palm, ginger and fallen fruit like closely related animals do (2). It visits nearby rivers and streams to drink and also frequents mud wallows (5). The tamaraw mates during Mindoro's dry season (December to May), and the young are born throughout the rainy season (June to November) when the weather is cool and there is an abundance of green vegetation (2) (5). The tamaraw gives birth every two years (4), and the young become dependent from the mother between the ages of two and four years (2) (4). Said to be very suspicious of humans, the fierceness of the tamaraw is widely reported (4) (5). Tamaraws threaten other tamaraws by lowering their head and shaking their horns and if cornered, it is said to charge the pursuer (5). As a result, hunters were said to prefer to shoot it from a platform high in the trees (4).
"Bubalus mindorensis (Heude, 1888)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/328729". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.