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PanduanHewanKENALI · PEDULI · LINDUNGI
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PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA

Domestic Water Buffalo

Domestic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Water buffalo are domesticated bovids with a long Asian husbandry history; Indonesian records should not be mapped as an original wild-buffalo range.

PanduanHewan·Updated 23 September 2026·Bubalus bubalis
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.
Photograph of Domestic Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).
(c) Henrique Bitencourt, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photograph cropped for layout.

What is the Domestic Water Buffalo?

Domestic Water Buffalo refers to Bubalus bubalis, in the genus Bubalus, family Bovidae, and order Artiodactyla. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Domestic Water Buffalo?

Water buffalo are domesticated bovids with a long Asian husbandry history; Indonesian records should not be mapped as an original wild-buffalo range.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Domestic Water Buffalo?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 132 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Nusa Tenggara Timur, Jawa Timur, Nusa Tenggara Barat. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Domestic Water Buffalo?

Watch from a distance, do not feed, and avoid sharing precise locations of vulnerable dens or resting sites. Do not try to catch or touch wild mammals. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Domestic Water Buffalo with Wild Boar, Spinner Dolphin, Fawn Roundleaf Bat. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  4. Species account — background reading ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.