# 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.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/bubalus-bubalis/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/bubalus-bubalis/
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**Review status:** This 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.

## Quick answer

The Domestic Water Buffalo (*Bubalus bubalis*) is a mammal in the family Bovidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from East Nusa Tenggara, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara. Diet: grazer: grasses, herbs and aquatic plants; a herbivore.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Bubalus bubalis* |
| Indonesian name | Kerbau |
| Group | Mammals |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Observation records | East Nusa Tenggara, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara |
| Taxonomic group | Artiodactyla |
| GBIF records | 132 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — grazer: grasses, herbs and aquatic plants · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bubalus_bubalis/) |
| Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/) |
| Active | Cathemeral (active irregularly by day and night) — In hot weather it wallows for much of the day and is more active at dusk and dawn. · [Bubalus bubalis (water buffalo) - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bubalus_bubalis/) |

## 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](https://www.gbif.org/species/7422937)

## 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](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubalus%20bubalis)

## 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](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=7422937&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include East Nusa Tenggara, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara. 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](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=7422937&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## 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.

## Scientific classification of the Domestic Water Buffalo

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | *Bubalus* |
| Species | *Bubalus bubalis* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Domestic Water Buffalo

### What is the scientific name of the Domestic Water Buffalo?

The scientific name of the Domestic Water Buffalo is *Bubalus bubalis*, in the family Bovidae and the order Artiodactyla. In Indonesian it is called Kerbau.

### What kind of animal is the Domestic Water Buffalo?

The Domestic Water Buffalo is a mammal in the family Bovidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a grazer: grasses, herbs and aquatic plants.

### Where does the Domestic Water Buffalo live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Domestic Water Buffalo summarised in this guide mainly come from East Nusa Tenggara, East Java, West Nusa Tenggara. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Domestic Water Buffalo eat?

The Domestic Water Buffalo is a grazer: grasses, herbs and aquatic plants. That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bubalus_bubalis/).

### How does the Domestic Water Buffalo reproduce?

The Domestic Water Buffalo reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/).

### Is the Domestic Water Buffalo nocturnal?

The cited source records the Domestic Water Buffalo as cathemeral (active irregularly by day and night). In hot weather it wallows for much of the day and is more active at dusk and dawn. Source: [Bubalus bubalis (water buffalo) - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bubalus_bubalis/).

See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/).

### What is the scientific classification of the Domestic Water Buffalo?

Scientific classification of the Domestic Water Buffalo: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla, family Bovidae, genus *Bubalus*, species *Bubalus bubalis*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/7422937)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=7422937&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/81925)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubalus%20bubalis)
5. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Bubalus_bubalis/)
6. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/)
7. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Further reading

[Buffalo: facts, threats and conservation](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/buffalo/) — World Animal Rescue Network. A broader overview that covers this animal.

_Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network._

## Keep exploring

- [Wild Boar](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/sus-scrofa/)
- [Spinner Dolphin](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/stenella-longirostris/)
- [Fawn Roundleaf Bat](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hipposideros-cervinus/)
- [Asian Palm Civet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/paradoxurus-hermaphroditus/)
- [Mountain anoa](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/mountain-anoa/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Domestic Water Buffalo. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/bubalus-bubalis/