What are the two primary functions of wallowing behavior for wild boars in managing environmental factors?

Managing heat and removing ectoparasites like ticks.

Wallowing, the practice of rolling around in mud or damp soil, is a vital behavior rooted in thermoregulation and hygiene for the wild boar. Since they lack efficient sweat glands, wallowing serves as a crucial mechanism for cooling the body down during warmer periods, helping them manage high daytime or environmental temperatures. Equally important is the secondary benefit: once the mud dries, it forms a caked layer on the skin and coarse hair. This hardened coating helps physically dislodge and suffocate external parasites, such as ticks, mites, and fleas, which would otherwise cause irritation and potentially transmit diseases. This dual benefit ensures both thermal comfort and basic health maintenance.