1. Elephants:
- Large ears: Elephants have large, floppy ears that help them regulate their body temperature. They can fan their ears to increase airflow and release excess heat.
- Minimal hair: Elephants have sparse body hair, which reduces insulation and allows for better heat dissipation.
- Mud bathing: Elephants often cover themselves in mud or water to create a cooling layer on their skin. As the mud dries, it absorbs and evaporates heat, helping the elephant stay cool.
- Social behavior: Elephants live in social groups and engage in behaviors like huddling together in the shade during hot periods to reduce heat exposure.
2. Desert Lizards:
- Evaporative cooling: Desert lizards have a unique ability to lose water from their skin through evaporative cooling. They can absorb heat from their surroundings and release it through their skin, causing the water on the skin to evaporate and take away the heat.
- Reflective scales: Some desert lizards have reflective scales that help reduce heat absorption by reflecting sunlight.
- Behavior: Desert lizards often seek shelter in burrows or under rocks during the hottest parts of the day to minimize heat exposure. They may also bask in the sun early in the morning or late in the afternoon when temperatures are cooler.