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Bos Gaurus

Short answer: The gaur (Bos gaurus) is the largest living wild bovine. It belongs to the cattle genus Bos, so the common Indian name 'Indian bison' is a misnomer, since true bison belong to the genus Bison.

India's national studbook (Central Zoo Authority) gives adult bulls a typical shoulder height of about 1.6-2.0 m and a weight of about 600-1,000 kg (roughly 1,300-2,200 lb), with cows smaller at about 450-800 kg. A muscular ridge over the shoulders gives the back its humped profile, and both sexes carry curved horns. Gaur live in forests, forest edges and grassy clearings from India and Nepal through mainland Southeast Asia to the Malay Peninsula. The global population is estimated at 13,000-30,000, about 85% of them in India, and the species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The gayal or mithun (Bos frontalis) is generally considered its domesticated form.

VideoWrite-up4 sources
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What should you know about Bos Gaurus?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. The gaur belongs to the cattle genus Bos, not the bison genus Bison.

    DD-685-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Cattle, not bison)

  2. India holds about 85% of the world's gaur.

    DD-685-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit D (Range and numbers)

Video transcript: Bos Gaurus: Called a Bison, Actually Cattle

DID YOU KNOW? The Indian gaur, also known as the Indian bison, is the largest and most powerful wild cattle species on earth, towering up to 7 ft at the shoulder and weighing as much as 1,500 to 2,200 lbs. Found in the forests and grasslands of India and Southeast Asia, gaurs are known for their massive muscular build, distinctive high-ridged back, and striking curved horns shared by both males and females. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 23.0s Reel ·

Video coming soonBos Gaurus · Instagram Reel
Bos Gaurus: Called a Bison, Actually Cattle Instagram Reel · · 23.0s

The write-up

Called a bison, actually cattle. The gaur is the world's largest wild bovine.

  1. Exhibit A

    Cattle, not bison

    The gaur is in the cattle genus Bos. 'Indian bison' is a long-standing common name, but true bison belong to the genus Bison.

  2. Exhibit B

    Size

    Adult bulls typically stand about 1.6-2.0 m at the shoulder and weigh about 600-1,000 kg. Cows are smaller, at about 450-800 kg.

  3. Exhibit C

    The ridge

    A muscular dorsal ridge over the shoulders gives the gaur its high-backed profile, and both sexes carry upward-curving horns.

  4. Exhibit D

    Range and numbers

    Gaur range from India and Nepal through mainland Southeast Asia to the Malay Peninsula. The global population is estimated at 13,000-30,000, about 85% of them in India.

  5. Exhibit E

    Status

    The IUCN lists the gaur as Vulnerable. The domesticated gayal or mithun (Bos frontalis) is generally considered derived from it.

Questions people ask about Bos Gaurus

Which genus does the gaur belong to?

Bos, the cattle genus.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Cattle, not bison) · Wikipedia: Gaur; Wildlife Institute of India: Indian bison or gaur

Roughly how tall are adult gaur bulls at the shoulder?

About 1.6-2.0 m.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Size) · Central Zoo Authority (India): National Studbook of Gaur; Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

Which country holds most of the world's gaur?

India, with about 85%.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Range and numbers) · Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae); Wildlife Institute of India: Indian bison or gaur

What is the gaur's IUCN status?

Vulnerable.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Status) · Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae); Wikipedia: Gaur

Which domesticated animal is generally considered derived from the gaur?

The gayal or mithun.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Status) · Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae); Wikipedia: Gaur

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Which genus does the gaur belong to?

    1. Bos
    2. Bison
    3. Bubalus
    4. Syncerus
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Bos Bos, the cattle genus. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Cattle, not bison) · Wikipedia: Gaur; Wildlife Institute of India: Indian bison or gaur

  2. Roughly how tall are adult gaur bulls at the shoulder?

    1. About 1.6-2.0 m
    2. About 0.8 m
    3. About 3.5 m
    4. About 5 m
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 1.6-2.0 m About 1.6-2.0 m. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Size) · Central Zoo Authority (India): National Studbook of Gaur; Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)

  3. Which country holds most of the world's gaur?

    1. India
    2. Thailand
    3. Malaysia
    4. Myanmar
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. India India, with about 85%. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Range and numbers) · Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae); Wildlife Institute of India: Indian bison or gaur

  4. What is the gaur's IUCN status?

    1. Vulnerable
    2. Extinct in the wild
    3. Least Concern
    4. Critically Endangered
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Vulnerable Vulnerable. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Status) · Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae); Wikipedia: Gaur

  5. Which domesticated animal is generally considered derived from the gaur?

    1. Gayal (mithun)
    2. Yak
    3. Water buffalo
    4. Zebu
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Gayal (mithun) The gayal or mithun. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Status) · Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae); Wikipedia: Gaur

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Bos Gaurus." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-685, last updated Dec 28, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bos-gaurus/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bos-gaurus/ · Last updated

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