Brahman (cattle) 484727 219665639 2008-06-16T09:19:58Z 58.165.123.48 /* Gallery */ changed NT to Northern Territory, Australia [[Image:Brahman (Bos indicus).jpg|thumb|''Bos indica'' bull, from [[Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo]].]] The '''Brahman''' (named for the ''sacred cow'' of [[Hinduism]], see also [[Brahman]]) is a breed of ''[[Bos indicus]]'' (Zebu) [[cattle]], later exported from [[India]] to the rest of the world. The main breed was the [[Kankrej cattle and Guzerat cattle|Kankrej]], called [[Kankrej cattle and Guzerat cattle|Guzerat]] in Brazil. Also used were the [[Nelore]] or Ongole and the [[Gir Cattle|Gir]] or Gyr. The Brahman is mainly used for breeding and the meat industry, it has been crossbred extensively with ''[[Bos taurus]]'' ([[Europe]]an) beef breeds of cattle. The Brahman is one of the most popular breeds of cattle intended for meat processing and is widely exploited in [[Argentina]], [[Brazil]], [[United States]], [[Colombia]] and in the [[Kimberley (Western Australia)]] and the [[Northern Territory]] among many other places. The Brahman has a distinct large hump over the top of the shoulder and neck, and a loose flap of skin ([[dewlap]]) hanging from the neck. Their ears are large and floppy. Bulls weigh 1600 to 2200 [[pound (mass)|pounds]] (800 to 1,100 [[kilogram|kg]]) and cows weigh 1000 to 1400 pounds (500 to 700 kg). At birth, calves weigh 60 to 65 pounds (30 to 33 kg). Despite their huge size, they are known as a docile breed, if handled with kindness from [[calf]]hood. [[Image:Brahman (EMAPA) 110307 REFON 2.jpg|thumb|right|280px|Brahman in [[Avaré]]]] Brahmans have a greater ability to withstand heat than European cattle. They have more [[sweat gland]]s, and also an oily [[skin]], thought to help repel [[pest (animal)|pest]] [[insect]]s along with a smooth coat. They are also more resistant to [[parasite]]s and [[disease]]. Brahmans have also been extensively crossbred with European cattle in [[subtropical]] [[United States]], in [[Central America]] and in some [[tropics|tropical]] areas of the world to gain their advantages in hot climates. ==In popular culture== In the video game [[Fallout (computer game)|Fallout]], there are two-headed mutated cows called Brahmin, considered an intentionally misspelled reference to the breed. The former [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]] character "The Rock" ([[The Rock (entertainer)|Dwayne Johnson]]) uses the nickname "The Brahma Bull". ==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Redbrahmancow.JPG|A red brahman cow Image:Brahman cattle.JPG|Brahman cattle in [[India]] Image:Brahman bulls.jpg|Some of the Brahman bulls in a paddock, Tipperary Station, Northern Territory, [[Australia]] </gallery> ==See also== * [[Australian Brangus]] * [[Beef cattle]] * [[Braford]] * [[Brangus]] ==External links== {{commons|Brahman (cattle)|Brahman (cattle)}} *[http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/brahman/ Brahman Cattle Information] in [[Oklahoma State University - Stillwater|Oklahoma State]] Livestock Breeds Directory *[http://www.brahman.org/ American Brahman Breeders Association] *[http://www.brahman.com.au/ Australian Brahman Breeders Association] *[http://www.cattle.com/articles/title/Brahman+Cattle.aspx Brahman Cattle] - Cattle.com [[Category:Cattle breeds]] [[de:Brahman (Zebu)]] [[es:Brahman (ganado)]] [[fr:Brahmane (race bovine)]] [[pt:Brahman (gado)]]