WEST HIGHLAND CATTLE Bos (primigenius) taurus

Redlist status: Not evaluated

• The Highland is a very old Scottish breed of cattle. It originated in the Scottish Highlands and the Outer Hebrides islands of Scotland.

• Bulls can weigh up to 800 kg and cows up to 500 kg. Cows typically have a height of 90–106 cm and bulls are typically in the range of 106–120 cm. Highland cattle have a lifespan of up to 20 years

• They have long horns and long, wavy, wooly coats that may be red, ginger, black, brown, yellow, white, grey, "silver" (white but with a black nose and ears), or tan, and they also may be brindled.

• They have an unusual double coat of hair. On the outside is the oily outer hair—the longest of any cattle breed can reach 13 cm—covering a downy undercoat.

• Mating occurs throughout the year with a gestation period of approximately 277–290 days. Most commonly a single calf is born, but twins are not unknown.