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Why don't hippos sunburn? |
by Alli Rodenhauser (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
If you've ever been to the beach or spent an afternoon playing by the pool, you've probably been reminded to wear lots of sunscreen! But hippos, who spend their lives under the hot sun in Africa, don't seem to worry about getting a sunburn. Why is that so?
It turns out it's because hippos actually make their own "sunscreen!" Their skin secretes an oily, red substance known as "hippo sweat" that serves multiple purposes — not only does it act as a sunscreen, using special molecules to scatter light before it hits the hippo's skin, the red-orange color absorbs additional UV rays as well. There are also certain chemicals in this sweat that make it a natural insect repellent, so hippos aren't bothered by bugs, and an antiseptic, so hippos don't get infections from fighting or swimming in dirty water.
Scientists have recently been able to gather samples of this hippos sweat, and will use it to research similar products for humans — but let's hope these smell a lot better than a hippo does!
It turns out it's because hippos actually make their own "sunscreen!" Their skin secretes an oily, red substance known as "hippo sweat" that serves multiple purposes — not only does it act as a sunscreen, using special molecules to scatter light before it hits the hippo's skin, the red-orange color absorbs additional UV rays as well. There are also certain chemicals in this sweat that make it a natural insect repellent, so hippos aren't bothered by bugs, and an antiseptic, so hippos don't get infections from fighting or swimming in dirty water.
Scientists have recently been able to gather samples of this hippos sweat, and will use it to research similar products for humans — but let's hope these smell a lot better than a hippo does!
The scientists who research this hippo sweat work in a special field called "biomimicry," which involves looking to nature for solutions to human problems. Other biomimicry research teams have looked at termites for new ways to build environmentally-friendly housing, or bats for ways to use sonar to help the blind. Can you think of an animal feature that could benefit humans?