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The zebu (; Bos indicus), also known as indicine cattle and humped cattle, is a species or subspecies of Bos taurus originating in South Asia. Zebu, like many Sanga cattle breeds, differs from taurine cattle by a fatty hump on their shoulders, a large dewlap, and sometimes drooping ears. They are well adapted to withstanding Tropical climate and are farmed throughout the tropics.
The zebu is used as a draught animal and riding animal, dairy cattle and beef cattle, as well as for byproducts such as hides and Feces for fuel and manure. Some small breeds such as Nadudana also known as the Miniature Zebu are also kept as . (2025). 9780128187678 ISBN 9780128187678
In some regions, zebu have significant religious meaning.
The zebu was classified as a distinct species by Juliet Clutton-Brock in 1999, but as a subspecies of the domestic cattle, Bos taurus indicus, by both Clutton-Brock and Colin Groves in 2004 and by Peter Grubb in 2005. In 2011, Groves and Grubb classified it as a distinct species again. (2025). 9781421400938, Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 9781421400938
The American Society of Mammalogists considers it as belonging to the species Bos taurus in analogy to Sanga cattle ( Bos taurus africanus ). The extinct wild aurochs ( Bos primigenius) is thought to have diverged into two distinct genetic strains: the humped Bos indicus and the humpless Bos taurus.
Its wild ancestor, the Indian aurochs, became extinct during the Indus Valley civilisation likely due to habitat loss, caused by expanding pastoralism and interbreeding with domestic zebu. Its latest remains ever found were dated to 3,800 YBP, making it the first of the three aurochs subspecies to die out.
Archaeological evidence including depictions on pottery and rocks suggests that humped cattle likely imported from the Near East was present in Egypt around 4,000 Before Present. Its first appearance in the Subsahara is dated to after 700 AD and it was introduced to the Horn of Africa around 1000.
Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the zebu Y chromosome haplotype groups are found in three different lineages: Y3A, the most predominant and cosmopolitan lineage; Y3B, only observed in West Africa; and Y3C, predominant in south and northeast India.
Compared to taurine cattle, the zebu is well adapted to the hot tropical savanna climate and steppe environments. These adaptations result in higher tolerance for drought, heat and sunlight exposure.
Geneticists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya and in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia discovered that cattle had been domesticated in Africa independently of domestication in the Near East. They concluded that the southern African cattle populations derive originally from East Africa rather than from a southbound migration of taurine cattle. The results are inconclusive as to whether domestication occurred first in Africa or the Near East.
Sanga cattle breeds is considered to have originated from hybridization of zebu with taurine cattle leading to the Afrikaner cattle, Red Fulani, Ankole, Boran cattle and many other breeds.
Some 75 breeds of zebu are known, split about evenly between African and Indian breeds.
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Characteristics
Zebu, as well as many Sanga cattle, have humps on the shoulders, large dewlaps and droopy ears.
(1989). 9789290530992, ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD). ISBN 9789290530992
Behaviour and ecology
Studies on the natural weaning of zebu cattle have shown that cows wean their calves over a 2-week period, but after that, continue to show strong affiliatory behavior with their offspring and preferentially choose them for grooming and as grazing partners for at least 4–5 years.
Reproduction
Zebu are generally mature enough to give birth when they are 29 months old. This is based on the development of their bodies to withstand the strain of carrying the calf and lactation. Early reproduction can place too much stress on the body and possibly shorten lifespans. The gestation period averages 285 days, but varies depending on the age and nutrition of the mother. The sex of the calf may also affect the carrying time, as male calves are carried for a longer period than females. Location, breed, body weight, and season affect the overall health of the animal and in return may also affect the gestation period.
Health and diseases
The zebu is susceptible to nagana as it does not exhibit trypanotolerance.
It is said to be resilient to parasites.
Breeds and hybrids
Zebu are very common in much of Asia, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh and China. In Asia, taurine cattle are mainly found in the northern regions such as Japan, Korea, northern China and Mongolia. In China, taurine cattle are most common in northern breeds, zebu more common in southern breeds, with hybrids in between. (2025). 9788301138066, Wydaw. Naukowe PWN. ISBN 9788301138066
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