Discoveries

February 08, 2023

Cool Bubbles

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Animals have different ways to stay cool in scalding weather, such as sweating or licking themselves to lose heat.

Short-beaked echidnas, meanwhile, blow snot bubbles to cool down in the scorching deserts of Australia, Science Magazine reported.

The pug-sized hedgehog with a snout like an anteater is equipped with a coat of thick spines and can’t sweat to survive temperatures that can reach 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a new study, a research team used infrared cameras to monitor how these creatures handle the heat in the wild. The images showed that most echidnas’ bodies displayed signs of varying degrees of heat, such as red, orange and pink.

However, their beaks were usually a dark shade of navy blue.

The team observed that the animals would blow mucus bubbles that broke over the tip of their beaks. When this snot evaporates, it takes away heat, keeping the beak nearly 18 degrees Fahrenheit colder than the rest of the echidna’s body.

But there’s more: The creatures’ spines also act as insulation. When they get cold, their spines lie flat along their back and stop heat from escaping. When it gets too hot, the spines stand up to allow the heat to escape.

The authors explained that this cooling method could help scientists conserve these mysterious mammals, whose populations are declining because of habitat loss and vehicle accidents.

This study could also help other researchers predict how this ancient mammal will fare in a warmer future.

This story originally appeared in the February 08, 2023 newsletter, Tanking Diplomacy.