Miniature Zebu

Miniature Zebu
Country of originSri Lanka
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    182–272 kg[1]: 245 
  • Female:
    136–227 kg[1]: 245 
Height
  • maximum 107 cm (42 in)[1]: 245 

The Miniature Zebu is a modern American breed of zebuine miniature cattle. It is a rare breed of Zebu that is critically endangered.[2] A breed association was established in 1991.[1]: 245 [3]

History

India has numerous traditional breeds of very small zebuine cattle, such as the Vechur breed of southern Kerala.[1]: 321  These may be collectively known as nadudana, "small cattle".[4]

The Miniature Zebu was established as a breed in the United States with the formation of the International Miniature Zebu Association, a breed registry, in 1991.[1]: 245  At that time, there were small zebuine cattle in twenty-three American zoos, and others were held by some fifty private owners. The parent stock had originally been imported from Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Sweden. By 2016 more than 6200 animals were registered.[1]: 245 

Characteristics

The maximum withers height permitted for registration is 107 cm (42 in).[1]: 245 

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. ISBN 9781780647944.
  2. ^ "Miniature Zebu Cattle - Oklahoma State University". breeds.okstate.edu. 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  3. ^ Welcome to IMZA. International Miniature Zebu Association. Accessed June 2018.
  4. ^ Heather Smith Thomas (January/February 2010). Miniature Zebu cattle. Countryside & Small Stock Journal 94 (1): 68–70. Accessed June 2018. (subscription required).