
Photo: Razis Nasri (RN Empire Travel & Tours)
Bos javanicus
Rare visitor: recorded only occasionally in this country
Range
Southeast Asia
Size
Head and body 1.9–3.68m
The banteng, also called the tembadau, is a wild bovine of Southeast Asia, with domestic-wild hybrids in parts of northern Australia. Wild banteng are typically larger and heavier than domestic ones. The sexes differ strongly: adult bulls are generally dark brown to black and larger and more sturdily built, while cows are thinner and usually pale brown or chestnut red. There is a big white patch on the rump, and both sexes carry horns, typically 60–95 cm long (Wikipedia, general species account).
Three subspecies are generally recognised. Banteng are active by day as well as at night, though they are more nocturnal where people are frequent. Herds comprise two to forty individuals.