Animal Facts:
The wild water buffalo, which is also known as the wild Asian buffalo or the Asiatic buffalo, is native to Asia, where it lives in wet grasslands, swamps, flood plains, woodlands, marshes and densely vegetated river valleys.
There are two subspecies of these buffalo: the river buffalo and the swamp buffalo. The swamp buffalo has 48 chromosomes while the river buffalo has 50. However, they all belong to the Bovini tribe, along with the African buffalo, bison and yak.
The wild water buffalo is the largest member of the Bovini tribe. It is sensitive to heat because these buffalo have fewer sweat glands than most other bovines. Thus, they spend a lot of time submerged in water up to their nostrils or wallowing in the mud. Apart from cooling the buffalo, the water and mud also protect them from biting insects.
Because it lives in marshy terrain, the wild water buffalo has wide, splayed hooves that enable it to move freely in the mud without sinking in too deeply.
If food is scarce, the water buffalo will even dive for plants growing on the beds of lakes and rivers.
Otherwise, wild water buffalo mostly feed on grasses, sedges, shrubs, herbs, fruits and bark as well as crops, including rice, sugar cane and jute.
Adult females and their young form stable herds of up to 30 to 40 individuals, which are led by the older members.
Meanwhile, adult males form bachelor groups of up to ten individuals, while older males live often solitary.
The dominant males mate with the females of a herd, then the females drive them off afterwards. They usually give birth to a single offspring, although twins are possible.
To protect juveniles or themselves, wild water buffalo can react very aggressively when threatened. They can even drive tigers away by standing together in a line and charging at them at speeds of up to 30 mph, or by skewering them with their horns.
These horns are one of the reasons wild water buffalo are endangered, as poachers kill them to get the horns.
Habitat loss is also a huge threat. But perhaps the biggest one is the interbreeding with domesticated buffalo and cattle, which results in a loss of the genetic identity of the wild water buffalo. This also exposes the wild buffalo to new viruses and diseases that can kill them.
Some spiritual meanings:
The wild water buffalo has a strong body with a large head. Its body weight keeps the buffalo grounded, while its head and the horns represent the mind and staying connected to the higher self.
Are you grounded enough in your life while listening to the messages of your higher self? And do you use your wit to get what you want?
The buffalo takes care of its needs when staying submerged in water or mud.
As a buffalo-person, self-care is essential for you.
Take the time to work through your issues before helping others.
Do you give too much too soon?
Learn how to meet your needs while not forgetting about those of others.
As grazers, buffalo teach you about abundance.
Do you feel the prosperity in your life? Is there something lacking?
Or do you have some resistance to receiving? Can you take what is offered to you?
Most buffalo live in herds and the mothers are very protective of their young.
Do you protect what you hold dear? And do you feel safe around those you love?
Or do you need more protection in your life?
You have the strength to be assertive without needing to resort to aggression.
Know when to charge and when to retreat.
More to discover:
If you want to read up on more spirit animals or want to learn more about spiritual topics in general, pick up a copy of my two-book series “Willow and Strix” ©, available as paperback or ebook (free for kindle unlimited users) US – UK – DE and in other countries
A. Wakan's Spirit Animals 