cows cows logo
Celebrating Things Bovine
Save Up To 50% On All Your Pet Needs
 
home   Home
Crazy for COWS Home Page
guest cows   Guest Cows
Your Cow Pictures
t-shirts   Cow T-Shirts and Sweatshirts
Announce your bovine appreciation! Or find a fun gift for a cow-lovin' friend...
stories   Cow Stories
The Rooster That Wouldn't Crow; The Energetic Cow; Molly's adventures; Cassie and Henrietta...
games   Cow Games
Our games and quizzes -- CowPie, Cow Concentration, and more.
tales   Cow Tails
Tails are back! Your moderated stories about cows.
gizmos   Cow - Themed Gizmos
Pictures of Cow-Themed stuff
contact   Contact Us
Send us a Moo
gallery   Cow Photo Gallery
Pictures of Moos (may take a moment to download)
facts   Cow Facts
How well do you know your cows? Check out these cow facts.
links   Cow Links
More bovines. Search our cow directory; suggest a site. (Will open in new window.)
breeds   Cow Breeds
A list of a bunch of cow types with links to more information.
glossary   Mooo!
Glossary of cow-related terms
slideshow   Cows at the Fair
Slideshow of some cool cows. (Requires Java.)

Copyright 1999-2018 by crazyforCOWS (SM)
Privacy



 
Breed: Brahman:

  • The Brahman breed was developed from Bos indicus cattle from India.
  • Four types of Bos indicus were used: the Gir, Guzerat, Nellore, and Krankrej.
  • Because Bos indicus are sacred in India, many Hindus will not sell them, eat their meat, or allow them to be slaughtered.
  • Because of this and quarantine regulations in the US, it is difficult to import Bos indicus cattle into the US from India.
  • The original Bos indicus cattle that entered the US did so by way of England in the mid 1800s.
  • The cattle's adaptibility to life in the hot, humid Southern US was quickly recognized and the Brahman breed was developed from these original Bos indicus cattle with some European cattle (Bos taurus). Additional Bos indicus cattle were brought in to the US by way of Brazil.
  • Due to centuries of living in tropical India, with exposure to insect pests, parasites, diseases, and heat, Bos indicus cattle developed adaptations for survival.
  • They have more highly developed sweat glands and can perspire more freely than European cattle.
  • They produce an oily secretion in their skin that may help repell insects.
  • Bos indicus type cattle have several features that distinguish them from European cattle: long, pendulous ears, a hump over the shoulder and neck area, and a large throatlatch and dewlap which have a lot of excess skin.
  • They have a long, concave face, and a slanty rump.
  • The Brahman shows all of these Bos indicus characteristics.
  • Brahman are also intelligent, inquisitive, and shy.
  • They like affection and can become very docile if handled well.
  • Brahman show little effect from temperatures up to and beyond 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet they can tolerate cold temperatures well, too.
  • Brahman are known for growing quickly, living a long time, and producing rich milk.
  • Brahman come in different colors, including black, brown, white, grey, red, and spotted, although solid grey and red are most common.
  • Bulls are typically darker than cows.
  • Bulls stand about 4 1/2 feet high at the withers, not including the hump, and weigh an average of 2000 pounds.
  • Cows stand about 4 feet high at the withers (again, not including the hump), and weigh an average of 1200-1300 pounds.

Brahman

Sources: A Field Guide to Cows, by John Pukite, Falcon Press, Helena, Montana, 1996, pp. 104-105.
and OSU's Breeds of Livestock -- Brahman Cattle page.