When people think of cattle, they often picture familiar farm animals grazing in fields. This common image, however, only scratches the surface of a diverse group. The question of how many species of cattle exist is intricate, involving scientific classification and an exploration of related animals. Understanding the different types helps clarify the relationships within this significant animal family.
Defining What Counts as Cattle
Determining the number of cattle species requires understanding their scientific classification. Animals broadly referred to as “bovine” belong to the subfamily Bovinae, part of the Bovidae family. Within this subfamily, the tribe Bovini includes true cattle, bison, and buffaloes. The term “cattle” commonly refers to domesticated animals within the genus Bos.
A biological species is defined as a group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. This definition distinguishes species from “breeds.” Breeds are specific groups within a single species, selectively bred for particular traits, like Angus or Hereford cattle. Thus, many cattle breeds belong to a limited number of actual species.
The Two Core Domesticated Species
Most domesticated cattle worldwide descend from two primary species. These are Bos taurus (taurine cattle) and Bos indicus (zebu or indicine cattle). Both species originated from the now-extinct aurochs (Bos primigenius), a large wild bovine that roamed across Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
Bos taurus cattle, often called European cattle, were domesticated around 10,500 years ago in regions like Anatolia and the Levant. These cattle are humpless, possess denser coats, and are well-adapted to cooler, temperate climates. In contrast, Bos indicus cattle originated from a separate domestication in the Indian subcontinent. They have a prominent fatty hump, loose skin, and often drooping ears, adaptations providing heat tolerance and parasite resistance, making them suitable for hot, tropical environments.
Other Bovine Relatives
Beyond the two main domesticated cattle, the Bovini tribe includes other species sometimes grouped with cattle. Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are large bovids domesticated in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. They are distinct from Bos species, belonging to genus Bubalus.
Yaks (Bos grunniens) are long-haired bovines native to the Himalayan region and Tibetan Plateau. While in the same genus Bos as domestic cattle, yaks are a separate species adapted to high altitudes and cold temperatures. Similarly, bison (American bison (Bison bison) and European bison (Bison bonasus)) are large bovines found in North America and Europe. Although distinct from true cattle, genetic evidence suggests a close relationship within the wider Bos lineage, particularly with yaks.
Two other wild bovine relatives found in Southeast Asia are the gaur (Bos gaurus) and the banteng (Bos javanicus). The gaur is the largest species of wild cattle. Banteng are also wild cattle, with some populations domesticated into Bali cattle. These diverse species highlight the broader family of animals related to domesticated cattle, each with unique adaptations and evolutionary histories.