Fig 1
Fig 2
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Order : CETARTIODACTYLA
Family : Bovidae
Species : Bos javanicus
Shoulder height : up to 170 cm
Head-body length : up to 2.25 metres
Tail : up to 70 cm
Weight : up to 800 kg
Banteng (or Tembadau) are
a species of wild cattle which occur in a variety of habitats including
semi-open forest, forest-edge, grassland and riverine areas. They have been
recorded up to 2100 metres elevation. The species is categorised as
endangered.
In areas where there is hunting pressure they tend to be nocturnal, but when
left undisturbed they tend to be diurnal. As a result of disturbance,
competition for space and hunting, Banteng are increasingly forced to eke
out an existence in closed forest, where there is less ground-level
vegetation.
Their diet comprises various grasses and sedges, as well herbs, some bamboo
and other fibrous, woody vegetation. They are also known to visit natural
mineral licks in search of nutrients, in common with
Elephant and
Asian Tapir.
Bulls are dark brown to black with a broad skull and narrow, rounded horns.
Cows are light brown to orange-brown, as are juveniles, and have a narrower skull,
and smaller, curved horns. Both sexes have legs that are white from the knee
to the hoof, have a white rump and typically a white band around the muzzle.
Banteng herds are typically small - around 5 or so adults, though historically herds
were much larger - up to 25 or so. Males which have not attracted
a harem may remain solitary or form small, male-only herds.
There are a number of domestic strains of this species, particularly in
Indonesia, which are lighter in build and are known as 'Bali Cattle'.
Interbreeding can occur between Banteng and domestic cattle.
Banteng occur in parts of southern China, Myanmar,
Thailand, Indochina (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam), Java and Borneo. In Peninsular Malaysia
they became extinct in the 1950's, but a few have since been
reintroduced to parts of Taman Negara.
Fig 1 : Male (foreground) and female Banteng, part of a small, introduced
herd in Taman Negara, Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 2 : A typical Banteng herd, comprising a single bull and a number of
females.
References :
Francis, C.M. 2019. A Field Guide to the Mammals of South-east Asia. Second
Edition. New Holland. 416 pp.
Lekagul, B., McNeely, J., 1977. Mammals of Thailand. Association for the
Conservation of Wildlife, Thailand. 758 pp.
IUCN
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