Gayal
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Subfamily
Genus
Bos
SPECIES
Bos frontalis
Population size
Unknown
Weight
650-1000
1430-2200
kglbs
kg lbs 
Length
2.5-3.3
8.2-10.8
mft
m ft 

The gayal (Bos frontalis) is a large domestic cattle found in SOutheast Asia.

Di

Diurnal

He

Herbivore

Te

Terrestrial

Pr

Precocial

Gr

Grazing

Br

Browsing

Vi

Viviparous

So

Social

He

Herding

Do

Dominance hierarchy

No

Not a migrant

Se

Semi-domesticated

G

starts with

Appearance

The head and body skin of gayals is blackish-brown, and the lower portion of the limbs are white or yellowish. Some domesticated gayals are parti-colored, while others are completely white. They have thick and massive horns with a blackish tint from base to tip. Females are much smaller than males and have smaller dewlap on the throat.

Video

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Subcontinents
Biogeographical realms

Gayals are found in Northeast India, Bangladesh, northern Myanmar, and in Yunnan, China. They inhabit hill forests. In India, semi-domesticated gayals are kept by several ethnic groups living in the hills of Tripura, Mizoram, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland. They also occur in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. In northern Burma, they occur in the Kachin State, and in adjacent Yunnan are found only in the Trung and Salween River basins. These animals prefer cold and mild climates and are mainly found in tropical rain forests.

Climate zones

Habits and Lifestyle

Gayals are social animals and live in herds. From birth until the time of butchering or market, they remain in the herd and roam mostly freely throughout the forests. Females are usually aggressive when with calves, and there are instances known when people have been severely injured after being gored by one. Males are usually more docile. These animals are active during the day and prefer to rest in the shade in the midday.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Gayals are herbivorous animals that feed on tree fodders, shrubs, herbs, and other natural vegetation.

Mating Habits

REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round
PREGNANCY DURATION
270-290 days
BABY CARRYING
1 calf
FEMALE NAME
cow
MALE NAME
bull
BABY NAME
calf

Little is known about the mating system in gayals. These animals breed throughout the year. Females usually give birth to a single calf and the gestation period lasts around 270-290 days. Little information is also known about parental care and raising the young. Females become reproductively mature at 40-48 months of age, while males are ready to breed when they are 3-4 years old.

Population

Population threats

There are no major threats to gayals at present. However, crossbreeding with the local cattle and hunting for meat can be threats to these animals in the near future.

Population number

The total population size of the gayal is unknown.

Domestication

Gayals originated more than 8000 years ago and are thought to be descendants of wild gaur. These animals play an important role in the social, cultural, and economic life of local people. To own a gayal is considered to be a sign of prosperity and wealth for the family. Farmers mainly rear these animals for meat. Besides this gayals are also used as a marriage gift and sacrificial animal for different social and cultural ceremonies.

DOMESTICATION STATUS Semi-domesticated

References

1. Gayal on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gayal

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