Enshi Mountain Water Buffalo

Enshi Mountain Water Buffalo

　　The Enshi Mountain Water Buffalo is the main draft animal in the rice-growing regions of Enshi Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province. Due to the mountainous terrain of its distribution area, its body structure differs slightly from that of water buffaloes in plain and lake regions, hence the name "mountain water buffalo."

　　(1) Origin and Distribution

　　The Enshi Mountain Water Buffalo is distributed across eight counties and cities: Enshi, Jianshi, Badong, Lichuan, Xuan'en, Xianfeng, Laifeng, and Hefeng. The distribution area features high-altitude terrain with overlapping mountains, steep slopes, and crisscrossing rivers and streams. It includes both tablelands at elevations above 1,200 meters with steep slopes and broad, gently undulating summits, and intermountain basins and river valleys below 800 meters in elevation. The vast majority of paddy fields are located in the tableland and basin areas. As water buffaloes are the primary draft animals for paddy cultivation, their distribution closely aligns with that of the paddy fields.

　　(2) Breed Formation

　　Enshi Autonomous Prefecture has a long history of raising water buffaloes. Over time, due to the specific ecological conditions of the mountainous region and selective breeding by local farmers, the mountain water buffalo gradually emerged, well-adapted to the local natural environment and farming management practices.

　　1. Influence of Environmental Conditions

　　Due to varying altitudes across the production area, factors such as temperature, precipitation, frost-free period, soil vegetation, and crop growing seasons differ. Consequently, the body size and structure of water buffaloes in different regions also vary slightly. For example, in the low-mountain and basin areas of Laifeng County, the average temperature is 17.5°C, with a maximum of 41°C and a minimum of -5°C. Annual precipitation is 1,380 mm, and the frost-free period lasts about 330 days. The high temperature, abundant rainfall, and long frost-free period result in higher crop yields, abundant agricultural by-products, and a longer growing season for wild forage, which is also more productive and of better quality. These favorable climatic and feeding conditions contribute to the development of larger, well-proportioned water buffaloes. In contrast, in Lichuan City, where elevations exceed 1,200 meters, the average annual temperature is 9.4°C, with a maximum of 26.5°C and a minimum of -15°C. Annual precipitation is 1,743 mm, and the frost-free period lasts only 150–170 days. The lower temperatures and shorter frost-free period lead to lower crop yields, a shorter growing season for wild forage, lower yield and quality of forage, a shorter grazing period, a longer stall-feeding period, and insufficient supplementary feeding. These conditions negatively impact the growth and development of water buffaloes, resulting in smaller body size and less proportional structure (Table 74). Due to these differences in ecological conditions across production areas, the mountain water buffalo has developed two distinct types in terms of body size and structure: the basin type and the mountain type.

　　2. Influence of Selective Breeding

　　In mountainous areas, water buffaloes are primarily raised for draft purposes, and local farmers have accumulated extensive experience in selecting suitable working buffaloes. When selecting buffaloes, traits such as a strong and compact build, agile movement, and overall vitality are preferred. There is a saying: “Choose a wide chest in the front, and well-aligned features in the back,” and “An extra inch in height means endless strength.” Specific body part requirements include “four widenesses and six larges”: a wide head and face, wide horn bases, a wide chest, and wide hip angles; large eyes, large nostrils, large hooves, large horn roots, large muzzles, and large tail bases. The legs should be “arrow-straight in the front and bow-like in the back.” The coat should be “iron-like and coarse,” with skin that is elastic. As a result of long-term directional selection, both mountain-type and basin-type buffaloes exhibit a compact body structure, deep and wide forequarters, sturdy limbs, solid hooves, and well-developed muscles—traits ideal for draft work.

　　(3) Body Shape and Appearance

　　Key characteristics of the mountain water buffalo’s body parts include: a head of moderate size, with a broad and flat forehead; a wide nasal mirror and large nostrils. Basin-type buffaloes have long horns with thick bases and large arcs, while mountain-type buffaloes have shorter and thinner horns. Bulls typically have “dragon gate” horns—thick, long, upward-curving, and with large arcs—while cows usually have “tea tray” horns—shorter, thinner, slightly curved backward, and with smaller arcs. They have small ears and large eyes, with necks of moderate length, and a tight connection between the shoulder and neck. Bulls tend to have thicker and shorter necks, while cows’ necks are slightly longer and more slender. The chest is broad and deep, with well-spread ribs; the back is straight, the belly full, and the rump slightly sloped. The front legs are straight, and the back legs are slightly bent and close together, with prominent tendons and round, solid hooves. The tail is covered with dense, long hair extending to the hock joint. Cows have underdeveloped udders and shorter teats. Their skin is thick and their coat is coarse, predominantly bluish-gray in color, followed by grayish-white, with very little white. The lower parts of the limbs have lighter-colored, grayish-white hair, and all individuals display distinct neck stripes.