Hi there! It’s Doug. You know, sometimes I forget to put on sunscreen and end up with a sunburn. Ouch! I recently heard a cool question from someone named Julia. Let’s find out what she asked.
Julia asked, “Can animals get a sunburn?” That’s a super interesting question! We know that if people stay in the sun too long, they can get sunburned. Sunburns can hurt and are not good for our skin. That’s why doctors say we should wear hats or use sunscreen to protect ourselves. But what about animals? They’re outside a lot, so do they get sunburned too?
Most animals have fur or feathers that protect their skin from the sun, so they usually don’t get sunburned. But what about animals like elephants, pigs, or rhinos that don’t have much fur? Can they get sunburned?
If you watch elephants on a sunny day, you might see them playing in the mud. They’re not just having fun; the mud acts like sunscreen and protects their skin from the sun. Animals that don’t have fur or feathers often find ways to cover their skin. For example, pigs might roll in mud, and seals might cover themselves with sand.
Hippos have a really cool way to protect themselves. They make a special red liquid that looks like blood, but it’s not. This liquid acts like sunscreen and keeps their skin safe from the sun. Isn’t that amazing?
So, yes, animals without a lot of fur or feathers can get sunburned, and they need to find ways to protect their skin. Thanks, Julia, for such a great question! Remember, there are mysteries all around us. Keep asking questions and stay curious!
Animal Observation Walk: Take a walk in your neighborhood or visit a local park. Look for animals like birds, squirrels, or dogs. Observe their fur or feathers. Discuss with a friend or family member how these might protect the animals from the sun. Can you spot any animals that might need extra protection from the sun, like a hairless dog or a pig?
Mud and Sand Experiment: At home, try a simple experiment. Take two small containers and fill one with mud and the other with sand. Use a toy or a small object to represent an animal. Cover one toy with mud and the other with sand. Place them both in a sunny spot for a few hours. Check which one stays cooler. Discuss how this relates to how animals like elephants and seals protect themselves from the sun.
Creative Craft: Animal Sunscreen: Use craft materials like clay, paint, or paper to create your own animal. Think about how your animal would protect itself from the sun. Would it have fur, feathers, or maybe a special liquid like a hippo? Share your creation with your class or family and explain how your animal stays safe in the sun.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Hi, it’s Doug. It seems like at least once a year I get a bad sunburn because I forget to wear sun protection. I recently found out that someone named Julia has an interesting question about sunburns. Let’s give her a call now.
Hi, Julia.
Hi, Doug. I have a question for you. Can animals get a sunburn?
That’s a great question. If a person is outside in the sun for too long, we can get a sunburn. Some people seem to burn more easily than others. Sunburns are most noticeable on people with light or pale skin, and getting a sunburn not only hurts but can also be dangerous for your skin. Even if you have darker skin, you can still be harmed from being in the sun too long. This is why doctors recommend that everyone wear sun protection, whether that means wearing a wide-brimmed hat or using sunscreen. But what about animals? Animals are outside all the time, so wouldn’t they get sunburned?
Well, animals covered in fur or feathers typically don’t get sunburned. Their skin is protected from the sun by their fur or feathers. But what about animals that don’t have much fur or feathers, like elephants, pigs, rhinoceroses, or even a sheep with a haircut? Can these animals get sunburned?
Now would be a good time to pause the video and discuss.
If you ever get the chance, watch elephants on a hot sunny day. Sometimes you’ll see them playing in the mud, but they’re actually doing something important. The mud acts like sunscreen, blocking the sun’s light from burning the elephant’s skin. It turns out that animals without protection for their skin can get sunburned, like this pig that didn’t cover itself in mud. These animals usually try to cover themselves with something to act like sunscreen, and that doesn’t always have to be mud. For example, this seal has covered itself in sand.
The most interesting case is the hippo. This hippo may look like it’s been injured, but what you see is not blood; it’s actually a type of oil that the hippo secretes. This red liquid blocks sunlight, acting like sunscreen. So, a hippo’s body can create its own sunscreen.
In summary, animals without a lot of fur or feathers can get sunburned, and if they’re going to be in the sun, they need to find something to cover their skin with.
That’s all for this week’s question. Thanks, Julia, for asking it. We’ll be back in August with new questions, but for the next episode, we chose three questions from the very beginning of Mystery Doug that you might not have heard before. When this video is done playing, you’ll get to vote on one. You can choose from why do you get goosebumps when you’re cold, could a turtle live outside of its shell, or why is the sky blue? So submit your vote when the video’s over. I want to hear from all of you watching. There are mysteries all around us. Stay curious and see you next week.
—
Let me know if you need any further modifications!
