Researchers Have Found Out Why African Elephants Have Cracks In Their Skin
- 6 years ago
Scientists at the University of Geneva recently confirmed that African elephants’ skin isn’t just wrinkly, it contains actual cracks.
Scientists at the University of Geneva recently confirmed that African elephants' skin isn't just wrinkly, it contains actual cracks. While that sounds problematic, the team found that the network of fine fissures in the skin's uppermost layer actually helps the giant animals survive in their often very hot environments. "African elephants are well-known to love bathing, spraying, and mud-wallowing," according to a press release issued by the university. "These behaviors are not just for fun…elephants can avoid over-heating only by [losing] calories through evaporation of the water they collect in and on their skin." "This beautiful fine pattern of millions of channels prevents shedding of applied mud and allows spreading and retention of 5 to 10 times more water than on a flat surface," the release further notes. The scientists were also able to determine that the cracks form as a result of bending stress rather than shrinkage, which was suspected to be the cause.
Scientists at the University of Geneva recently confirmed that African elephants' skin isn't just wrinkly, it contains actual cracks. While that sounds problematic, the team found that the network of fine fissures in the skin's uppermost layer actually helps the giant animals survive in their often very hot environments. "African elephants are well-known to love bathing, spraying, and mud-wallowing," according to a press release issued by the university. "These behaviors are not just for fun…elephants can avoid over-heating only by [losing] calories through evaporation of the water they collect in and on their skin." "This beautiful fine pattern of millions of channels prevents shedding of applied mud and allows spreading and retention of 5 to 10 times more water than on a flat surface," the release further notes. The scientists were also able to determine that the cracks form as a result of bending stress rather than shrinkage, which was suspected to be the cause.