What physiological trait necessitates the water buffalo's behavior of wallowing?
Answer
They possess relatively few sweat glands compared to common cattle.
The necessity for water buffalo to wallow is directly linked to their physiology, specifically their relative lack of functional sweat glands when compared side-by-side with common cattle breeds. Because they cannot regulate their body temperature effectively through perspiration, immersion in water or mud becomes a fundamental requirement for survival in warm climates. This inability to sweat efficiently forces them to rely on behaviors like wallowing to achieve necessary body cooling, making their relationship with water and mud a health imperative rather than a mere preference.
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