Editing Zebu (section)

== Behaviour and ecology==
Studies on the natural weaning of zebu cattle have shown that cows wean their calves over a 2-week period, but after that, continue to show strong affiliatory behavior with their offspring and preferentially choose them for grooming and as grazing partners for at least 4–5 years.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Reinhardt |first1=V. |last2=Reinhardt|first2=A. |year=1981 |title=Cohesive relationships in a cattle herd (''Bos indicus'') |journal=Behaviour |volume=77 |issue=3 |pages=121–150 |doi=10.1163/156853981X00194 }}</ref>

===Reproduction===
Zebu are generally mature enough to give birth when they are 29 months old. This is based on the development of their bodies to withstand the strain of carrying the calf and lactation. Early reproduction can place too much stress on the body and possibly shorten lifespans. The gestation period averages 285 days, but varies depending on the age and nutrition of the mother. The sex of the calf may also affect the carrying time, as male calves are carried for a longer period than females. Location, breed, body weight, and season affect the overall health of the animal and in return may also affect the gestation period.<ref name=Mukasa-Mugerwa/>

=== Health and diseases ===
The zebu is susceptible to [[nagana]] as it does not exhibit [[trypanotolerance]].<ref name=MacHugh-et-al-1997>{{cite journal |last1=MacHugh |first1=D.E. |title=Microsatellite DNA Variation and the evolution, domestication and phylogeography of Taurine and Zebu Cattle (''Bos taurus'' and ''Bos indicus'') |journal=[[Genetics (journal)|Genetics]] |volume=146 |issue=3 |year=1997 |pages=1071–1086 |doi=10.1093/genetics/146.3.1071 |pmid=9215909 |pmc=1208036 }}</ref><ref name=Makina-et-al-2016>{{cite journal |last1=Makina |first1=S.O. |last2=Whitacre |first2=L.K. |last3=Decker |first3=J.E. |last4=Taylor |first4=J.F. |last5=MacNeil |first5=M.D. | last6=Scholtz |first6=M.M. |last7=Van Marle-Köster |first7=E. |last8=Muchadeyi |first8=F.C. |last9=Makgahlela |first9=M.L. |last10=Maiwashe |first10=A. |title=Insight into the genetic composition of South African Sanga cattle using SNP data from cattle breeds worldwide |journal=[[Genetics Selection Evolution]] |volume=48 |issue=1 |date=2016 |page=88 |doi=10.1186/s12711-016-0266-1 |pmid=27846793 |pmc=5111355 |doi-access=free }}</ref>
It is said to be resilient to parasites.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Utsunomiya, Y.T. |author2=Milanesi, M. |author3=Fortes, M.R.S. |author4=Porto-Neto, L.R. |author5=Utsunomiya, A.T.H. |author6=Silva, M.V.G.B. |author7=Garcia, J.F. |author8=Ajmone-Marsan, P. |year=2019 |title=Genomic clues of the evolutionary history of ''Bos indicus'' cattle |journal=Animal Genetics |volume=50 |issue=6 |pages=557–568 |doi-access=free |doi=10.1111/age.12836|pmid=31475748 }}</ref>