Why do carabaos like dipping in mud? Kuya Kim explains

Carabaos are farmers' best friend in the Philippines. They can always be found the rice fields, and when resting, you can see them having a dip on mud.

But why do these animals do this?

According to Kuya Kim on Friday's "24 Oras," carabaos use the mud to drive away insects that buzz around them. They also use it to cool their body temperature.

With the carabao an ubiquitous sight in the country, many people think it is the national animal. However, there is no law designating it as such.

Carabaos have a sweeter milk than cows, so their milk is usually used to make pastillas.

Meanwhile in Bontok, Mountain Province, the skull and horns of the carabao are traditionally displayed as a symbol of prosperity when there's a wedding.

In San Joaquin, Iloilo, the "Pasungay Festival" or carabao fighting was a tradition of over a century but it was halted in 2019 after protests from animal rights activists.

An illegal Pasungay event was also busted in Tobias Fornier, Antique, where over P200,000 in betting money were recovered by police.

Police said the event was in violation of Republic Act 8485 or the Animal Welfare Act of 1998.

—MGP, GMA News