Incredible Animal Strategies for Facing Heatwaves
When temperatures soar in the heart of summer, humans quickly adopt their survival reflexes: water bottle in hand, search for shade, improvised swims, and air conditioning turned up to full blast. But we are far from the only ones dealing with heat. In the animal kingdom, surviving extreme temperatures is a true science. Over millions of years, species have developed astonishing, and sometimes spectacular, adaptations to avoid overheating, conserve water, and maintain internal balance.
And several of these masters of thermoregulation can be observed at the Zoo de Granby.
Thriving in the Heat
Contrary to a common misconception, animals from warm regions do not simply “tolerate” heat: they have evolved to manage it with remarkable efficiency.
In humans, sweating is one of the main mechanisms used to dissipate heat. As sweat evaporates, it cools the skin like a natural air-conditioning system. But many animals rely on very different strategies.
Meerkats
The meerkat, a small African mammal well known for its sentinel-like posture, has a light-colored coat that reflects part of the solar radiation. Its underside is also less hairy, allowing it to release more heat when it lies on cooler shaded surfaces. Even its social lifestyle helps reduce energy expenditure during the hottest hours: task sharing and role rotation within the group contribute to overall energy savings.
African Elephants
African elephants, on the other hand, use their enormous ears as biological radiators. Rich in blood vessels, they help dissipate large amounts of heat when the animals flap them. Researchers estimate that an elephant can significantly lower its body temperature simply through this specialized blood circulation system.
Kangaroos
Kangaroos, meanwhile, lick their forearms to promote evaporative cooling. This technique works because their limbs contain many blood vessels located close to the skin’s surface.
Behaviors Fit for Seasoned Vacationers
Animal adaptations are not only physical: they are also behavioral. Just as many humans avoid exercising during heatwaves, numerous animals completely adjust their daily schedules when temperatures rise.
Lions often spend up to 20 hours a day resting, particularly during hot periods. This behavior, often mistaken for laziness, is in fact an extremely efficient energy-saving strategy. Moving less means producing less heat.
The same logic applies to reptiles. Tortoises and certain lizards constantly alternate between shaded areas and sun-exposed surfaces in order to maintain an optimal body temperature. This is known as behavioral thermoregulation. Too cold, and their muscles slow down; too hot, and vital functions may be compromised.
At Zoo de Granby, animal care teams take these highly specific needs into account when designing habitats. Shaded areas, pools, ice-based enrichment, misting systems, and access to multiple microclimates allow animals to choose the conditions that best suit them throughout the day. This strategy closely mirrors our own summer reflexes: seeking shade, drinking cold beverages, and slowing down.
Water: A Sometimes Elusive Luxury
For many species, heat is above all a battle against dehydration.
The dromedary is one of the great masters of this adaptation. Contrary to popular belief, its hump does not store water but fat reserves, which can be converted into energy when resources become scarce. Its body is also capable of tolerating temperature fluctuations that would be dangerous for humans. While mild dehydration in humans can quickly lead to fatigue, dizziness, and heatstroke, some desert animals can lose a significant proportion of their body water before experiencing serious consequences.
Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, take the opposite approach: they rely constantly on water. Native to South America, they spend much of their time submerged in order to maintain a stable body temperature. During the hottest days, they become especially active in water or in the evening.
A Challenge Amplified by Climate Change
Today, it is clear that these natural adaptations are being put to the test. Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent, longer, and more intense worldwide. Even well-adapted species are now at risk of reaching their physiological limits. Scientists are already observing behavioral changes in many animals: shifts toward cooler areas, altered activity patterns, increased thermal stress, and disruptions in reproductive cycles.
Animal care technicians must also adapt their practices. At Zoo de Granby, teams closely monitor signs of heat stress and adjust care, feeding, and enrichment on a daily basis according to weather conditions.
Because in the end, whether it is an African elephant, a meerkat, or a human sitting in front of a fan, all living beings share the same reality: when heat becomes extreme, survival often depends on our ability to adapt.
