Wallows for Buffalo.

Abstract

It would appear that buffaloes wallow for two reasons: (1) when there is water about, all buffaloes wallow at some time between 1000 and 1500 h; (2) when insect attack is severe, buffaloes will wallow at any time, even at night. The location of the animal, whether in a wallow or in shade, does not have any significant effect on the internal (rectal) temperature of the animal. In the present study, the buffaloes' preference for wallows indicates that shade may not be as good as a wallow in lowering body temperatures on hotter days.

An overview of the impacts of feral cattle, water buffalo and pigs on the savannas, wetlands and biota of northern Australia

“…Ungulates also cause soil disturbance around the margins of wetlands by creating pugs and wallows, which can have impacts on waterhole hydrology and water quality (Skeat et al 1996). Wallows are created by rolling in mud around wetland margins and are used by buffalo and pigs to reduce insect attack and thermoregulate, as mud dries much more slowly than water (Tulloch & Litchfield 1981;Bracke 2011). In northern Australia, the impacts of feral ungulates on soil are most prevalent in floodplains and around perennial waterholes (Skeat et al 1996).…”

“…The action of wallowing increases water turbidity both directly and through erosion by runoff (Finlayson et al 1997). Buffalo and pigs wallow more frequently than other ungulates, such as cattle, because they have fewer sweat glands (Tulloch & Litchfield 1981;Bracke 2011). Buffalo use wallows preferentially over shade and spend more time grazing when a wallow is available than when there is shade alone (Tulloch & Litchfield 1981).…”

“…Buffalo and pigs wallow more frequently than other ungulates, such as cattle, because they have fewer sweat glands (Tulloch & Litchfield 1981;Bracke 2011). Buffalo use wallows preferentially over shade and spend more time grazing when a wallow is available than when there is shade alone (Tulloch & Litchfield 1981). Pugging and wallowing of wetland margins by buffalo can also increase the surface area exposed to evaporation and cause decreased water retention over dry periods (Skeat et al 1996).…”

“…1996). Wallows are created by rolling in mud around wetland margins and are used by buffalo and pigs to reduce insect attack and thermoregulate, as mud dries much more slowly than water (Tulloch & Litchfield 1981; Bracke 2011). In northern Australia, the impacts of feral ungulates on soil are most prevalent in floodplains and around perennial waterholes (Skeat et al .…”

Floating vegetation mats on a floodplain billabong in the Northern Territory of Australia

“…In addition, when flood plains are inundated during the wet season, buffalo congregate on the slightly higher levee banks around billabong edges and trample the cane grass on them. Buffalo create and use wallows on the water's edge (Tulloch and Litchfield, 1981), graze new shoots that may appear, and generally restrict regrowth that could otherwise replace the protective fringe around the mats.…”