The handsome banteng largely resembles domestic cattle both in size and colour, but also demonstrates considerable sexual dimorphism, allowing the sexes to be readily distinguished. Mature males have a dark, chestnut-brown coat, more blue-black in the Javan and Bornean individuals, while females and juveniles are reddish brown, with a dark dorsal stripe. The horns of females are short, tightly curved and point inward at the tips, whereas those of males are long, upwardly arching and connected by a horn-like bald patch on the forehead. Both sexes have the characteristic white ‘stockings’ on their lower legs, a white rump and muzzle and white spots above the eyes. A gentle hump exists above the shoulders and a slight ridge runs along the back.