The surprising ways animals defend their skin from ultraviolet radiation
In short: We often assume animals are immune to the sun, but many are actually quite vulnerable. From whales with blistering skin to giraffes with blackened tongues, the battle against UV damage is a constant evolutionary struggle involving mud, pigment, and even specialized secretions.
While it is a common misconception that animals are immune to sun damage, any creature with exposed skin is susceptible to sunburn. Birds are largely shielded by feathers, and reptiles are protected by scales. In fact, for reptiles, the risk of overheating is often a more immediate lethal threat than sunburn itself. However, mammals with sparse or coarse hair, such as pigs, elephants, and even freshly shлоned sheep, face significant risks when exposed to intense sunlight.
Recent research has highlighted the vulnerability of even the largest marine mammals. Between 2007 and 2009, scientists from England and Mexico studied blue, fin, and sperm whales in the Gulf of California. Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, revealed that 95% of skin biopsies contained 'sunburn cells' damaged by UV radiation. Data on blue whales suggests the incidence of sunburn may be increasing, potentially due to thinning cloud cover or the ozone layer.
Evolution has provided several ingenious biological defenses. Some animals, like rhinos and pigs, use mud as a physical barrier to retain moisture and block rays. Others rely on pigmentation; for instance, the first eight to nine inches of a giraffe's tongue are black, likely to prevent burns during foraging. Hippos employ a more complex mechanism, secreting a pinkish liquid that contains red and orange pigments capable of absorbing UV light. This secretion, once thought to be 'blood' by circus spectators, also serves an antibacterial purpose.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Why Don't Snakes and Many Other Animals Get Sunburned?
- Also: Ask an Expert: Do Animals Get Sunburned?
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