[SOgLak]

Water buffalo are extremely intelligent animals (not at all stupid, contrary to the old Thai proverb "Ngo meuan Khwai"). I can well understand a bond of friendship, respect and love developing between a buffalo and his farmer owner. One surprising thing about them is their lack of heat tolerance, considering they originate in hot tropical countries. Problem is that they don't have anywhere near as many pores per square inch in their skin, to dissipate the heat as cattle do. So they must have shade at midday and ideally a cool river or pond to wallow in, with just their nostrils showing. Buffalo heaven! Buffalo are not cattle - they are a completely different species and their scientific name is bubulus bubulus. Wonderful animals and very sad that they are rapidly disappearing from the Thai countryside.