Mud wallowing is a good way of removing parasites such as ticks and mites. When buffaloes submerge themselves in water an air bubble forms around the mouth of the parasite where it penetrates the skin of the host animal. The parasites have enough oxygen to survive under the water and continue to feed off the host. Mud, however, is too thick to form such air bubbles, so any parasites suffocate when submerged during mud wallowing. After the mud dries, buffaloes will then rub against hard surfaces to scrape it, and the dead parasites, off their skin.