Adaptive Mechanisms of Buffaloes to Ambient Temperature

Abstract

ANIMALS of diverse origin vary widely in their capacity to withstand severe climatic conditions. Breed differences in the response to high external temperatures and humidity were demonstrated by Rhoad¹. Buffaloes have a lower level of respiration-rate, body-temperature and pulse-rate than cattle². Under shade, they have a better cooling mechanism than cows, as has been shown in India³. The black-pigmented skin assists the absorption of infra-red rays with a subsequent rise in body-temperature⁴, While in thin-skinned animals heat penetrates easily, resulting in over-heating of the body and interference with efficient elimination of heat⁵. Shedding of hair in cattle is a seasonal phenomenon⁶.