# Ankole-Watusi (*Bos taurus taurus watusi*) The Ankole-Watusi is a special cow with huge, beautiful horns that can grow really long! These cows are friendly and are known for their unique looks and gentle nature. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands - **Also known as:** Ankole, Watusi ![Ankole-Watusi](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Watusi_Thoiry_1982.jpg&width=800) Photo: Vassil, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Watusi_Thoiry_1982.jpg) ## Appearance The Ankole-Watusi is a large domestic cattle breed renowned for its extraordinarily long and thick horns, which can span several feet. Its coat color varies widely, often displaying shades of reddish-brown, black, or pied patterns across a muscular body. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Bos ## Interesting facts - A single Ankole-Watusi horn can hold over 20 liters of water if it were hollow! - In some cultures, owning Ankole-Watusi is a powerful symbol of wealth and high social status. - Their giant horns are surprisingly light because they have a honeycomb-like structure inside! - These cattle are sometimes called 'Living Treasures' due to their historical importance in East Africa. ## Special abilities - **Built-in Air Conditioning:** Ankole-Watusi has huge horns filled with blood vessels that help cool their body in hot climates. - **Efficient Grazer:** Ankole-Watusi can thrive in dry conditions because they efficiently convert tough, sparse vegetation into energy. - **Herd Protector:** Ankole-Watusi cattle form strong herds, using their massive horns and collective presence to deter predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 150-250 cm - **Weight:** 400-730 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-20 years - **Speed:** 25 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 279-292 days ## Diet & Feeding These gentle giants munch on grass and other plants all day long to fuel their big bodies. - **Primary Foods:** Grasses, Leaves, Shrubs, Hay - **Foraging Method:** Grazing ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Humans (*Homo sapiens*) — rely on humans for care, food, and shelter - **Eats:** [Bermuda grass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bermuda-grass) (*Cynodon dactylon*) — a primary food source in many grazing areas - **Parasitizes:** Cattle tick (*Rhipicephalus microplus*) — a common external parasite that feeds on their blood ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Horned](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/horned): Characterized by having one or more hard, permanent, pointed projections on the head. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Domesticated](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/domesticated): Domesticated refers to species that have been selectively bred and tamed by humans for specific purposes. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always watch from a distance and never try to touch or feed wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ankole-Watusi? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ankole-Watusi? 150-250 cm ### How much does Ankole-Watusi weigh? 400-730 kg ### How long does Ankole-Watusi live? 15-20 years ### How fast can Ankole-Watusi move? 25 km/h ### What does Ankole-Watusi eat? These gentle giants munch on grass and other plants all day long to fuel their big bodies. ### Where is Ankole-Watusi usually found? Grasslands ### How does Ankole-Watusi hunt? Grazing ## Where to spot - [African Safari Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/african-safari-wildlife-park) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natural-bridge-wildlife-ranch) — Texas, US · Zoo ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Ankole-Watusi: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ankole-watusi)