After a long , snowy wintertime , it ’s hard to resist the allure of warm summertime days . Of course , they can come at a cost — include a sunburn . While it ’s a well - known advisory for humans to slather on that SPF before taking in the ray , what about animals ?
“ Animals can get sunburn , just as hoi polloi do , from too much sun exposure , ” Paul Calle , chief veterinarian at the Wildlife Conservation Society in the Bronx , toldThe New York Times .
However , the Sun sham different creatures in different ways . “ untamed animals are marvelously adapt to their surround , so those in areas with flock of sunlight usually have scales , feathers , or pelt to protect them , ” Calle continued . “ They also draw back to burrows , louche area or water ; wallow in water or clay ; or spray dust or water on themselves when the Sun is at its peak . ”
So which beast are more susceptible to sunburn?According to Tony Barthel , conservator of the Elephant House and the Cheetah Conservation Station at Smithsonian ’s National Zoo , elephants , rhino , and freshly shorn sheep are specially at danger . study also found grounds of Dominicus terms in the cells of gamy whale , fin giant , and sperm whales .
However , some creatures are equipped to protect themselves . For illustration , the first eight or nine in of a giraffe ’s tongue is black and the rest is pink . “ Some masses theorize that Giraffa camelopardalis have black tongue because they are out of their mouthpiece a band , and they do n’t want to get burn on their spit , ” Barthel toldSmithsonian .
Additionally , hippos “ egest a pink liquid that swell up in droplet on their face or behind their ears or necks . ” This substance is found to absorb UV igniter and prevent bacterial increment .
Snakes and reptiles can give thanks their plate for providing a little extra security ; not only do their scales protect them from UV beam , but they also aid keep back wet .
When biology does n’t cover it , some beast have develop their own conjuring trick . According to Calle , some beast instinctively protect themselves . Elephants confound sand on themselves in an effort to avoid sunburn . ( And vexing bugs , of course ! ) It ’s a learned behavior , as adults fox sand on their immature .
“ That is probably part of the teaching process , ” Barthel says . “ Not only are they read concern of their nipper , but they are showing them that they need to do that . ”
If you ’re looking to protect a deary from potentially harmful UV ray , How Stuff Worksrecommends dog sun blocker , which can be constitute at pet stores . Horse and Houndeven says children ’s sunscreen works for horses !
However , Calle remark that “ for people and animate being , avoid excess photograph to high - saturation sunlight is the unspoiled prevention . ”
