In northern Australia ear tattooing has been the most successful identification technique, with tattoos remaining legible for at least 8 years 61 . When pastured together, cattle and buffaloes coexist satisfactorily. They segregate themselves into their own groups and do not interfere with each other. The buffaloes, however, usually dominate the cattle and tend to monopolize the areas with the best feed supply. Feed troughs and mineral boxes used for cattle are suitable for buffaloes, but chutes and crushes must be widened to accommodate the buffalo's broader body and when necessary the Swamp buffalo's greater horn spread.
Water buffalo are powerful swimmers.
In Brazil they have been known to escape by swimming down the Amazon River. An unusual management difficulty is caused by piranha in the rivers and swamps of Venezuela. The horns of buffaloes are seldom removed or prevented from growing, a testament to the animal's docility. Some Asians also do not allow the practice as it would be a disgrace to the buffalo 63 . However, the animals can be dehorned as calves in the same manner as cattle.