Lemurs while sunbathing in their unique “Zen-like” stance, appear to be the embodiment of calm and contentment. Lemurs sit erect on their haunches, legs and arms outstretched and forearms resting on their knees, exposing the undersides of their limbs to the sun.
Lemurs, every morning sunbathe this way to regulate their body temperature, warm up their muscles after cold nites in Madagascar by sitting upright with their arms and legs spread wide to expose their thinner belly fur to the sun, and kill or discourage ectoparasites such as fleas, ticks, and lice that may be on their bodies.
As nights in their natural habitat can be exceedingly chilly. The heat they require to move and begin hunting for food is provided by the morning sun. They sit as if they are practicing yoga. This open position allows the sun to shine through the sparse fur on their chest and belly. Sunlight helps their bodies produce vitamin D and maintains their bones robust. Groups frequently sit together in the light. This allows kids to get closer and bond with their family.
Vertebrates, including humans, require vitamin D to maintain healthy bones. Humans must expose their skin to sunlight in order to synthesize some types of vitamin D; if we are fully clothed, we risk not synthesizing enough.
However, many vertebrates are clothed with hair, wool, or feathers, which limits their skin’s exposure to sunlight. Some carnivores, including domestic dogs and cats, obtain the majority of their vitamin D from their diet. Other animals have an oily coating on their fur, wool, or feathers, which produces vitamin D when exposed to sun.
And lemurs are known to’sunbathe’ by exposing the undersides of their limbs. While it has been argued (and is a widely held assumption) that these animals gain vitamin D by grooming themselves and consuming oil, research on sheep, cows, and birds shows that they get the great majority of their vitamin D simply by standing in sunshine.
The external oil is not a significant source of vitamin. So it appears that a coat of wool, hair, and feathers does not block sunlight in the same way that human clothing does, and that many animals obtain adequate vitamin D levels just by basking in the sun.
Content for this question contributed by Cinthia Abraham, resident of Rothbury, Grant Township, Oceana County, Michigan, USA
