ANIMAL: Ankole-Watusi Cattle Bos africanus watusi Type of Animal: Cattle Habitat: Farms, ranches, villages, meadows, grasslands, fields, savanna, forests Location(s): Derived from Sanga cattle breeds in Africa. Composite form originated in US. Now found worldwide. Appearance: Extremely large long thick horns, color ranges from red to reddish-brown to fawn to black to pied or combo of colors Food/Diet: Grasses, leaves, hay, acorns Status in Wild: Domesticated Conservation: Breeding on farms, ranches, zoos, & wildlife parks. Used for meat, milk, hides, & show. Possible reintroductions to Africa. Lifestyle: Herds of 10-300 Additional Info: Called: Male: Bull Female: Cow Young: Calf Group: Herd Weight: Male: 1,000-1,600 lbs Female: 900-1,200 lbs Young: 100-150 lbs Gestation: 9 months Life Span: 20 years Height: Male: 5-6.5 ft Female: 4-5.5 ft Young: 2 ft Body Length: Male: 7-8 ft Female: 6-6.5 ft Young: 3 ft Tail Length: 2.7-3 ft, same for both sexes Main predators of adults are lions, hyenas, wild dogs, feral dogs, leopards, crocodilians, wolves, coyotes, bears, cheetahs, & cougars/puma/mountain lion. Large pythons, caracals, & wild pigs prey on calves. Ravens prey on newborns. These cattle derived from Ankole Cattle of Africa-these cattle brought to Germany in early 1900s, then spreading to other European zoos & private collections-some of these then imported to US & Canada in 1920s & 1930s w/ these cattle being cross-bred w/ other breeds w/ these animals later dying out. These cattle later imported in 1960 from Europe & crossed w/ angus cattle, Texas Longhorns, & European breeds. Composite Ankole-Watusi established itself in 1970s in US w/ many being exported worldwide. Long horns used for defense & regulating body temperature. Calves sleep encircled by adult cows. These cattle tend to be friendly & gentle. Ancestry of these cattle dates back to more than 6,000 years ago when Zebu from Asia cross-bred w/ Egyptian Longhorns. Sexually mature at 16-18 months old. Horns start developing at 2 months old. Also called Ankole Cattle, Watusi Cattle, Ankole Longhorn, & African Longhorn. Fun Fact(s): Milk is 10% butterfat. Milk & blood often mixed together to make high protein milk drink. They’re great runners & jumpers. These cattle store fat in their humps during periods of scarcity. These cattle have longest horns of any cattle breed, reaching 8 ft long. These cattle known as “cattle of kings” & used as status/wealth symbol in Africa. In fact, these cattle sometimes used as currency as well as in rituals & ceremonies.
