All Bos indicus cattle including the Brahman are characterized by a large hump over the top of the shoulder and neck. The Brahman is characterized by a pronounced hump over the shoulder and neck, horns that usually curve up and back, and drooping ears.
Brahmans vary in color from very light grey or red to almost black. A majority of the breed are light to medium grey. The Brahman's hump has evolved over time to help the animal survive in hot, arid conditions. It is made up of tissue that stores water.
The hump is a deposit of fat. Farmers and ranchers in the southeastern US and the Gulf States like to raise Brahman cattle because they can stand the heat, and insects don’t bother them much.
Humped cattle
