Introduction

Water buffalo is an iconic species of livestock found mainly in Asia and parts of Europe. The primary source of income for farmers and rural communities are these water buffaloes. Water buffaloes are large herbivorous animals that primarily feed on plants such as grasses, leaves, fruits, and vegetables. In this article, we will discuss in detail what plants these water buffaloes eat.

Grass

Water buffaloes are majorly grazers, which means they primarily feed on grass. They tend to graze from early morning until midday and again in the late afternoon. Buffalos prefer grass that is young and filled with high nutrient content. Some of the grasses they prefer include elephant grass, guinea grass, and napier grass. In a day, a water buffalo may eat up to 30 kg of grass, and this makes up the bulk of their daily diet.

Leguminous Plants

Leguminous plants are plants that produce beans or other legume fruits. These types of plants have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria that live in their roots. These bacteria can absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it into a form easily digestible by the plant, which the water buffalo then eats. Some of the leguminous plants that water buffalo eat include alfalfa or lucerne, clover, and leucaena. These are typically grown in farms specifically to feed livestock, including water buffaloes.

Leaves, Twigs, and Stems

Water buffaloes are not choosy when it comes to eating leaves, twigs or stems from various plants. They tend to eat anything and everything that grows in the savanna or around the waterholes where they graze. Some of the plants they eat are barks or twigs from trees such as acacia and arboreal species of the legumes family. They also feed on sugarcane, maize stalks, sugar beet, and millet stalks.

Roots and Tubers

Water buffalo has a unique feature that enables them to dig roots and tubers. They have a long and wide tongue with an extendable bone that helps them pull out roots from the ground. Besides, their powerful teeth and massive heads can help them dig into hard soil. Some of the roots and tubers that water buffaloes feed on include cassava, sweet potatoes, and yams.

Fruits and Vegetables

Water buffaloes also feed on fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. These plants help them to get supplementary nutrition they need to keep healthy. They particularly like fruits such as bananas, apples, and pears. Vegetables like cabbage, lettuce, and spinach make up the major plant components of their diet.

Conclusion

Water buffaloes mainly feed on grasses, leaves, twigs, roots, tubers, fruits, and vegetables. Farmers and animal caretakers must provide a balanced diet to ensure the health and well-being of these wonderful creatures. Adequate and quality feeding enhances their growth and productivity, which ultimately benefits the farmers and the consumers.