Editing Carabao (section)

==Description ==
[[File:Carabao at Bohol 2017 e.jpg|alt=Philippine carabao|thumb|A carabao wallowing at a mudhole]]

Carabaos have the low, wide, and heavy build of draft animals. They vary in color from light grey to [[Slate gray|slate grey]]. The horns are sickle-shaped or curve backward toward the neck. Chevrons are common. [[Albinism|Albinoids]] are present in the proportion of about 3% of the buffalo population. Mature male carabaos weigh {{convert|420|-|500|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, and females {{convert|400|-|425|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. Height at [[withers]] of the male ranges from {{convert|127|to|137|cm|in|abbr=on}}, and of the female from {{convert|124|to|129|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Cockrill1977/>

Carabaos prefer to wallow in a mudhole that they make with the horns. Their objective is to acquire a thick coating of mud. They thrive on many [[aquatic plant]]s and in time of flood will graze submerged, raising their heads above the water and carrying quantities of edible plants. They eat [[Reed (plant)|reeds]], the [[Arundo donax|giant reed]], [[bulrush]], [[Cyperaceae|sedges]], the [[Eichhornia crassipes|common water hyacinth]], and [[Juncaceae|rushes]]. Green fodders are used widely for intensive milk production and for fattening. Many fodder crops are conserved as hay, chaffed, or pulped. Trials in the Philippines showed that the carabao, on poor-quality roughage, had a better feed conversion rate than cattle.<ref name= Cockrill1977/>