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HAVE you ever gotten a nasty sunburn and wished you had a thick fur coat to protect yourself from the UV rays?
As it turns out, even a full body of fur might not have saved your skin.
Is it true that even furred and feathered species can get sunburns?
Verdict:
TRUE
When it comes to sunburns, many assume it is a human-specific ailment. However, it is not just people who are susceptible to the sun's scorching rays; our furry and feathered friends can suffer from sunburn too.
By definition, a sunburn is the result of damage to the skin cells caused by overexposure to UV radiation. As such, a dog, cat or bird’s bare skin can 'burn' just like ours if it is directly exposed to the sun.
Unlike humans, however, animals usually have defence mechanisms in place to prevent – or at least mitigate – sun damage.
Fur, feathers, scales and shells all provide natural protection against the sun, but are not foolproof. Exposed swathes of skin and areas with less fur – commonly the ears, nose, and around the eyes – are still prone to the harmful impact of UV rays.
Hairless species, on the other hand, have been observed to take advantage of their environments for sun protection. For examples, rhinos roll around in the mud for a little natural SPF, and elephants shower each other with sand for the same reason!
That being said, species or individuals with light fur and thin coats, especially hairless breeds, remain especially susceptible to the sun.
This is especially true of domestic animals which were intentionally bred to have sparse coats, such as sphynx cats, or those that lose their coats through human interference, such as freshly-shorn sheep, as they have no instinct to seek additional sun protection.
Animals that spend a considerable amount of time outdoors are also at increased risk, as hair and feathers can only block so much sun. This is evident in farm animals which can show signs of sun damage if they lack adequate shade in their pastures.
Even marine animals are not immune to sunburn. Blisters have been observed on species such as whales and dolphins that tend to spend extended periods near the water surface, and research shows that the incidence rate for sunburn in marine animals is getting worse.
Scientists believe the depletion of the ozone layer and thinning of cloud cover has led to a subsequent increase in UV radiation levels and, subsequently, increased cases of sunburn in both humans and animals.
Preventing sunburn in animals involves similar measures to those humans take. Providing ample shade, limiting exposure during peak sunlight hours, and for domestic animals, using animal-safe sunscreen on vulnerable areas.
For the loving pet parents out there, UV-protective clothing for pets is becoming an increasingly common offering!
References:
1. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ask-an-expert-do-animals-get-sunburned-28218217/
2. https://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/faqs/can-animals-get-a-sunburn/
3. https://www.livescience.com/62677-do-animals-get-sunburned.html
4. https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/Can-Animals-Get-Sunburns
