Survival Tactics: Wild Animals' Ingenious Ways to Stay Cool

As temperatures rise due to climate change, animals are employing various tactics to beat the heat. Some species, like squirrels, engage in "splooting" or "heat dumping" by spreading out on cooler surfaces. Others are evolving different body shapes, such as larger beaks, legs, and ears, to better regulate their body temperatures. Red kangaroos use saliva to lower their body temperature, while echidnas blow snot bubbles to cool their blood. Storks excrete liquid onto their legs, and birds like pelicans and cormorants use "gular fluttering" to cause evaporation. Understanding these heat regulation methods can help predict how animals will respond to climate change.