Indian gaur eating leaves
The Indian gaur, also known as the Indian bison, is the largest species of wild cattle in the world. A powerful, dark-coated bovine with white stocking-like feet, the gaur inhabits the hilly forests of South and Southeast Asia. Although it is listed as Vulnerable, it remains locally abundant in protected areas of India and is an important prey species for tigers and leopards.
Average Length
3.3 m
Average Weight
1000 kg
Lifespan
20-30 years
Top Speed
50 km/h
Quick Facts
The gaur is the largest wild bovine in the world.
Despite being called Indian bison, gaur are not true bison but belong to the genus Bos.
A large bull gaur can weigh over 1,500 kg, making it one of the heaviest land animals in Asia.
Gaur are found across most of India's major tiger reserves including Kanha, Bandipur, and Nagarhole.
Habitat & Range
Habitats
Regions
Behavior & Reproduction
Activity Pattern
Diurnal
Social Structure
Herds of 8-40 individuals
Gestation Period
9 months
Litter Size
1
Predators
Tigers, Leopards, Dholes
Found in Parks
Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve
Karnataka
Jim Corbett National Park
Uttarakhand
Kanha National Park
Madhya Pradesh
Pench National Park
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
Mudumalai National Park
Tamil Nadu
Bandipur National Park
Karnataka
Melghat Tiger Reserve
Maharashtra
Indravati National Park
Chhattisgarh
Nagarhole National Park
Karnataka
Bandhavgarh National Park
Madhya Pradesh
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
Maharashtra