The secret behind how Pygmy hippos create natural sunscreen
Pygmy hippos secrete an oily substance from their skin that quickly changes to a bright pink or red hue. After a few minutes, this fluid thickens and shifts to a brown color. This secretion functions as a built-in sunscreen, protecting the animals from harmful UV radiation and ensuring their skin stays hydrated. The fluid is composed of specific protective elements, namely orange norhipposudoric acid and red hipposudoric acid.