SURFACE AND CORE TEMPERATURE-CHANGES IN MURRAH BUFFALOS DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS

Six adult female Murrah buffaloes of 10-12 years age were exposed to w inter conditions when minimum/maximum ambient temperature were 5.4/24. 1 degrees C. The skin temperature at forehead, middle pinna, neck, rum p, forelegs, hindlegs was recorded using non-contact temperature measu ring instrument. Respiration rate and rectal temperature were measured throughout the 24 hr. The diurnal fluctuations and temperature gradie nts have been reported for buffaloes. The changes in body temperature indicate that buffaloes during extreme cold conditions, in open area a re not able to maintain their thermal equilibrium and, therefore, redu ce temperature of appendages to conserve body heat effectively. Under such conditions adequate animal cover and protection from cold wind is essential.