ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Environment → Animals

Whales suffer from sun burns too

Mihai AndreibyMihai Andrei
September 2, 2013
in Animals, Climate
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

Just like we get a tan and our skin gets darker in response to sunlight exposure, whales increase the pigment in their skin as well, but not only do they do this, they also accumulate damage to the cells in the skin as they get older, just like humans.

“Whales can be thought of as the UV barometers of the sea. It’s important that we study them as they are some of the longest living sea creatures and are sensitive to changes in their environment so they reflect the health of the ocean.”

 

whales uv Whales are among the most unlikely creatures to suffer from global warming, but they do suffer. Skin experts from the Newcastle University were called in after marine biologists in Mexico noticed an increasing number of whales in the area had blistered skin. After they analyzed samples from three types of whales (blue, sperm and fin), it became clear that whales are indeed suffering from UV burns – something which was also shown a while ago.

However, this is the first study which studies whales have been studied at a genetic level, linking genetic damage caused by UV and migration patterns.

Migrating whales ‘tan’ the most:

“There has been an increase in the number of reports on blister-type skin lesions in various whale species in areas of high UV radiation. In many cases no infectious microorganism has been found associated with these lesions. It’s important that we study the effect of UV radiation on whale skin and the mechanisms that these species use to counteract such damage, both from an evolutionary approach and from a conservation perspective.”

But how dangerous is this fact?

“We need to investigate further what is happening,” said Professor Birch-Machin, “if we are already seeing blistered skin in the whales caused by UV damage then we want to know whether this could develop into skin cancer and therefore serve as an early warning system.

Blistering whales may not seem like much as you’re reading this from your home or office or wherever, but it is a sobering sign that global warming is indeed affecting each and every one of us, and each and every living thing on the face of the Earth.

RelatedPosts

Whales as Ecological Engineers
Sperm whales clans have different dialects
Japan still wants to slaughter hundreds of whales “for science”
Whale fossil found at the San Diego zoo

“These whales occupy the same area year after year, so it is increasingly possible to understand the status of their populations, and what may be going on around them and in the environment. They are a reminder that changing climatic conditions are affecting every creature on the planet.”

Journal Reference: Laura M. Martinez-Levasseur, Mark A. Birch-Machin, Amy Bowman, Diane Gendron, Elizabeth Weatherhead, Robert J. Knell, Karina Acevedo-Whitehouse. Whales Use Distinct Strategies to Counteract Solar Ultraviolet Radiation. Scientific Reports, 2013; 3 DOI: 10.1038/srep02386

Tags: whales

ShareTweetShare
Mihai Andrei

Mihai Andrei

Dr. Andrei Mihai is a geophysicist and founder of ZME Science. He has a Ph.D. in geophysics and archaeology and has completed courses from prestigious universities (with programs ranging from climate and astronomy to chemistry and geology). He is passionate about making research more accessible to everyone and communicating news and features to a broad audience.

Related Posts

Animals

There’s a Great Whale Urine Highway That Moves Nutrients Across Oceans

byMihai Andrei
2 months ago
Baluga Whales at Mystic Aquarium. Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.
History

Operation Beluga — or how a Soviet ice breaker played music to thousands of ice-trapped whales to save them from starving

byAlexandru Micu
10 months ago
Image credit: Wikipedia Commons.
Animals

Bowhead whales’ can repair their DNA — and this possibly makes them cancer-resistant

byFermin Koop
2 years ago
Animals

Ancient manuscripts recorded extraordinary whale trap feeding strategy hundreds of years ago

byTibi Puiu
2 years ago

Recent news

This beautiful rock holds evidence of tsunamis from 115 million years ago

May 20, 2025

New Version of LSD Boosts Brain Plasticity Without the Psychedelic Trip

May 20, 2025

The World’s First Mass-Produced Flying Car Is Here and It Costs $1 Million

May 20, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.