The tamaraw is the largest mammal native to the Philippines, and also has the distinction of being one of the rarest mammals in existence. It is a small buffalo that resembles the Asiatic water buffalo in many ways except size. It has a robust body with dark brown to greyish-black hair and short, stocky legs. Stout, powerful horns, measuring up to 51 centimetres, grow in a ‘V' shape from the forehead, have a triangular cross-section and are covered with coarse grooves. A greyish-white stripe runs from the inner corner of the eye outwards and greyish-white patches are also found on the legs and neck. Tamaraw calves are born reddish-brown and attain the same colour as adults in about five years. |
