Brahman cattle originated from Bos Indicus cattle originally
brought from India. Through centuries of exposure to inadequate food supplies,
insect pests, parasites, diseases and the weather extremes of tropical India,
the native cattle developed some remarkable adaptations for survival.
Brahman cattle are easily identified by the hump on their
back and long floppy ears. Their most common colors are solid gray or solid
red. They have loose saggy skin with sweat glands and the ability to sweat
freely through the pores of the skin, which contributes materially to their heat
tolerance. They can walk long distances to water and they thrive where other
types of cattle, at best, merely survive.
Brahman cattle are the "sacred cattle of India,"
and many of the Hindu faith will not eat meat from them, will not permit them
to be slaughtered, and will not sell them. India has more cows than any other
country. They are nearly all Brahman, the most popular breed in the world.