What do elephants and hares have in common in hot weather?

Summer is not only a time of long, sunny days, but also a period of extreme temperatures that challenge both humans and animals. Where humans find coolness through air conditioning or cold drinks, animals must rely on their natural instincts and adaptations. Bees, for example, cool their hives by vigorously fanning their wings, while rhinos roll in the mud. Penguins gather in groups, thus minimizing exposure to the sun and lowering their body temperature. What other secrets of survival in hot weather are hidden in the animal world?

Thermoregulation through the ears

Deer and hares employ an unusual method of thermoregulation, using their large, richly vascularized ears to cool the body. Airflow through the ears effectively lowers blood temperature, which in turn translates into cooling the entire body. Research confirms that animals living in warmer climates often develop larger body parts in response to higher temperatures. Examples include Australian parrots, which have increased the surface area of their beaks by 4-10 percent since 1871, and European rabbits, which, after adapting in Australia, developed longer ears to better cope with the heat.

Other mammals that use similar strategies include elephants and fennec foxes. Elephants, which have impressively large ears, flap them to cool the blood flowing through the blood vessels, resulting in a lower body temperature. In contrast, fennec foxes, the smallest of the foxes, have disproportionately large ears relative to their bodies, which enables them to dissipate heat efficiently in harsh desert conditions.

Cool ground

American buffalo often find relief in lying on the ground or sand, which are cooler than the surrounding air. This strategy not only allows them to effectively cool their bodies, but also helps remove insects from their fur. However, buffaloes are not the only animals that use such methods for cooling off.

Elephants, both African and Asian, also take advantage of the earth’s coolness. They often dig into it, creating places that allow them to rest in a cooler environment. In addition, elephants often sprinkle their bodies with earth or cover themselves with mud, which acts as insulation and protects against overheating.

Similarly, rhinos roll in mud, which not only lowers their body temperature, but also creates a protective layer against insects and sunlight. Hippos, on the other hand, although they spend most of their time in the water, also enjoy mud baths, which help them maintain a lower body temperature.

Droppings on legs

Birds, such as storks and vultures, use a unique method of thermoregulation known as urohydrosis. In the process, the birds deposit droppings on their feet, which may seem strange, but is important for their survival in high temperatures. The evaporation of urine from the bird’s legs cools the blood flowing through these limbs, which in turn lowers the overall body temperature. Waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, on the other hand, use the simplest way – swimming or wading in the water.

Hugging trees and licking

Studies show that koalas huddle against tree trunks, which are cooler than the surrounding air, thus lowering their body temperature. Trees, especially eucalyptus, store moisture, which evaporates to form a cooler layer on the surface of the bark.

Kangaroos, on the other hand, known for their springy leaps and life in the unforgiving Australian desert, have another, rather unusual way of dealing with the heat. To keep cool, kangaroos spit on their forearms. When the kangaroo feels its body temperature rising, it begins to lick its forearms until they are completely soaked with saliva. Evaporation of saliva from the surface of the skin cools the blood.

Shelter to cool off

Certain species of snakes or turtles find shelter under logs, rocks or in moist soil to avoid direct sunlight. These cooler areas help them maintain proper body temperature and avoid overheating. Similarly, fish migrate to deeper, cooler layers of water during hot weather, but this consequently affects their availability as food for birds such as ospreys and bald eagles.

And how do our pets cope in hot weather?

On summer days, our pets, such as dogs and cats, use different strategies to survive the high temperatures. Dogs cool themselves mainly by yawning. When they pant, the evaporation of saliva from their tongue helps lower their body temperature. In addition, many dogs avoid activity during the hottest times of the day by seeking shade and drinking more water.

Cats, like dogs, instinctively seek cooler places, both indoors and out. They lick their fur, which helps them cool their bodies through the evaporation of saliva. Some cats may even dip their paws in the water to cool off even more.

In a previous article How to help animals during hot weather? we detailed the various ways we can support our animals, both domestic and wild, during the summer heat. We encourage you to read these tips to actively help our small and large friends survive the hot days every day.