# Bos Gaurus (DD-685)

> 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.

- Department: Nature (also Locations)
- First published: 2025-12-28
- Last updated: 2025-12-28
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/bos-gaurus/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-685-F01**: The gaur belongs to the cattle genus Bos, not the bison genus Bison. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Cattle, not bison))_
- **DD-685-F02**: India holds about 85% of the world's gaur. _(Write-up · Exhibit D (Range and numbers))_

## Write-up

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

1. **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. **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. **The ridge**: A muscular dorsal ridge over the shoulders gives the gaur its high-backed profile, and both sexes carry upward-curving horns.
4. **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. **Status**: The IUCN lists the gaur as Vulnerable. The domesticated gayal or mithun (Bos frontalis) is generally considered derived from it.

## Related case files

- [Food Chain Hazing (DD-692)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/food-chain-hazing/): Another case about large wild mammals
- [Arapaima Gigas (DD-684)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/arapaima-gigas/): Another species-name case
- [Trocar Cows (DD-585)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/trocar-cows/): I linked a wild relative of domestic cattle

## Reel vs. record

- **Misnomer**: 'Indian bison' is a common name, but the gaur is wild cattle (genus Bos). True bison belong to the genus Bison.
- **Height**: bulls typically stand about 1.6-2.0 m (5.2-6.6 ft) at the shoulder, so '7 ft' is the exceptional top end (CZA studbook).
- **Weight**: bulls weigh about 600-1,000 kg (about 1,300-2,200 lb) and cows about 450-800 kg, so the Reel's range describes bulls only.
- **Range**: gaur also live in Nepal and Bhutan and south to the Malay Peninsula. India holds about 85% of an estimated 13,000-30,000 animals.
- **Missing status**: the IUCN lists the gaur as Vulnerable. Its domesticated form, the gayal or mithun (Bos frontalis), is kept in northeast India and Myanmar.

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

- Duration: 23.0 s · Published: 2025-12-28
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DS0xwCPkoNe.mp4

### Transcript

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!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Which genus does the gaur belong to?**  
A: Bos, the cattle genus. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Cattle, not bison) · Wikipedia: Gaur; Wildlife Institute of India: Indian bison or gaur)_

**Q: Roughly how tall are adult gaur bulls at the shoulder?**  
A: 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))_

**Q: Which country holds most of the world's gaur?**  
A: 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)_

**Q: What is the gaur's IUCN status?**  
A: Vulnerable. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Status) · Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae); Wikipedia: Gaur)_

**Q: Which domesticated animal is generally considered derived from the gaur?**  
A: The gayal or mithun. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Status) · Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae); Wikipedia: Gaur)_

## Sources

- [Central Zoo Authority (India): National Studbook of Gaur](https://cza.nic.in/uploads/documents/studbooks/english/nsgaur.pdf)
- [Mammalian Species (2018): Bos frontalis and Bos gaurus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae)](https://academic.oup.com/mspecies/article/50/959/34/5075367)
- [Wildlife Institute of India: Indian bison or gaur](https://digitalrepository.wii.gov.in/server/api/core/bitstreams/9beec834-e063-4542-afde-947402577985/content)
- [Wikipedia: Gaur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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/