PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MITHUN (BOS FRONTALIS)

Mithun (29) of either sex of different age groups, viz. G1, G2, G3 and G4 belonging to Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram, were used to study certain physical characteristics. The length and circumference of horn increased with advancing age in both sexes. The length and bre adth of head and the length of ear did not differ significantly betwee n the sexes within age groups. Male animals had significantly higher l ength of body than that of females of G2 and G3 groups. Heart girth an d abdominal girth were significantly higher in males compared to femal es in group G4. Tail length was almost uniform between the sexes withi n age groups. Male animals exhibited apparently higher body weights th an that of the females at all age groups, but the differences were not statistically significant.