The Manda buffalo breeds are bred in the hills above Parlakimedi and Mandasa on the borders of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. Basically, the breed is reared in areas of thick forest usually on natural herbage and brought down to the plains for sale.
The general colour is brown or grey with yellowish tufts of hair on the knees and fetlocks, and the switch is yellowish-white. The Manda buffalo breeds is a medium-sized animal. The eyes are sharp with a broad red margin around the lids. The lower part of the legs up to the elbow is a light colour with a tuft of yellowish/copper coloured hairs at knee and fetlock. The horns are broad and semicircular extending backward and well-developed chest.
Milk yield is satisfactory. Male Manda buffalo breeds are hard and like a bullock can work in the hot sun. It can draw a load of about a ton but at a slow pace.