Bos Indicus climate adaptation

• A. Thrive in hot tropical climates
• B. Thrive in cold climates
• C. No heat tolerance
• D. Cannot tolerate insects

Answer: (A)

Bos indicus cattle are built for hot, tropical environments. These zebu breeds have physical and physiological traits that help them shed heat and cope with high humidity and parasite pressures, such as larger ears for heat dissipation, loose skin to aid cooling, and a metabolism suited to sustained function under heat. That’s why they thrive in hot tropical climates. They aren’t well suited to cold climates, where their heat-adaptation doesn’t provide the same benefit, and the idea of having no heat tolerance isn’t accurate. They also aren’t devoid of insect tolerance; in fact, Bos indicus tend to show better resistance to parasites like ticks than many European breeds, so the statement about not tolerating insects isn’t correct.