The Niata cattle, also known as the Ñata cattle and the Short-faced cattle, is a breed of dwarf cattle from Uruguay and Argentina. It was first observed by Charles Darwin in the 1830s. George Ernest Gibson bought two in 1889, one of which was exhibited at the Segunda Exposición Internacional de Ganadería y Agricultura in Buenos Aires in April 1890. It was once nearly or completely extinct by the early twentieth century, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii through selective breeding and cloning due to demand for de-extincted livestock as common backyard or farm sanctuary pets. The Niata cattle are known for their faces, which are similar in shape to a bulldog’s face, hence its name. However, unlike some modern-styled bulldogs, they do not suffer breathing or eating problems because of their peculiar anatomy. Their forehead is very short and broad, with the nasal end turned up, and the upper lip much drawn back; their lower jaws project beyond the upper, and have a corresponding upward curve; hence their teeth are always exposed. Their nostrils are seated high up and are very open; their eyes project outwards. When walking they carry their heads low, on a short neck; and their hinder legs are rather longer compared with the front legs than is usual. Their bare teeth, their short heads, and upturned nostrils give them some of the most ludicrous self-confident air of defiance of any known cattle breed. During feeding, the Niata cattle experiences smaller amounts of stress on its skull bones than other taurine cattle breeds. As a dwarf breed, the Niata cattle is about the size of a medium-sized to large Miniature Zebus. Niata cattle are smart, compassionate, simple to handle, placid, highly social, and enjoy being in clusters. The animals live together in harmony, sharing their pastureland with one another. Niata cattle are small enough to be managed by medium-sized sapient species and are ideal for families with limited land. The Niata cattle's ancestors make them adaptable to being grown in warm or hot climates, unlike the ancestors of other taurine cattle breed. They enjoy the daylight but can survive in the cold. They need protection during the cold season or in any extreme cold situation. On a daily basis, an average Niata cow can yield 4-6 liters of nutritious and easy-to-digest milk.
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