Caracu
(most common name)

(local/other name):
• Acaraha
• Caracú

First, let’s address the issue of the accent on the “u”. Mason (Dictionary 2002, 2020) specifically says that the “u” is not to be accented. DAD-IS agrees. The Associação Brasileira de Criadores de Caracu (Brazilian Association of Caracu Breeders) agrees. However Felius (1995) and Mason (Encyclopedia 2016) both use an accent over the “u”. My Daily Cow defers to the country listing information in DAD-IS and the breeders.

The Caracu originally descended from Portuguese cattle imported in 1534 which over time became the Crioulo do Sul (Southern Crioulo). Some sources state that the Minhota contributed the most to the formation of the Caracu, which as a breed was formed in the south of Minas Gerais state, and then spread to São Paulo state.

The Caracu, previously a dual-purpose breed, is today known for its outstanding beef qualities with a dressing out percentage as high as 60%. The first herdbook was established in 1916. However, during the 1930s, the Caracu almost became extinct due to continual crossing with European and zebu breeds.

The Caracu is noted for its resistance to parasites and heat and the ability to tolerate some illnesses. They can be horned or polled.

The Caracu is genetically closest to the Mocho Nacional (which is considered to be a variety of the Caracu). The Caracu also contributed initially to the Brazilian Dairy Hybrid.

The term Carazebú is used when either the Mocho Nacional or the Caracu is crossed with zebu.

Other current Caracu crossbreeds include:
• Tropicana - Caracu (5/8) and Blonde d’Aquitaine (3/8)
• Aquitanica - Blonde d’Aquitaine (5/8) and Caracu (3/8)

Listed Caracu varieties:
• Caldeano
• Caracu chifrudo
• Caracu mocho

(Portuguese) chifrudo = horned
(Portuguese) mocho = polled

This page was last updated on: 2023-05-15

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