This small water buffalo is herbivorous and feeds on aquatic plants, ferns, grasses, saplings, fallen fruit, palm, and ginger (5). Like other water buffalo this species wallows and bathes in pools of water and mud, and drinks from salt licks, pools of mineral spring water or from sea water in order to obtain minerals (1).
Lowland anoas are usually solitary, though mother and daughter pairs are common and small groups of up to five individuals have been recorded (6). Research indicates that males are territorial as they have been observed marking trees with their horns and scratching the soil after urinating (6). Breeding occurs throughout the year and, after a gestation period of 275-315 days, females give birth to a single offspring (2)(5).