Top Facts About Hippo Sweat

It is almost that time of the year again when everyone will be smearing sunscreen over their bodies as they head out for a day in the sun. One day in place of sunscreen, we may be smearing hippo sweat over our bodies. Once you get over the "ewe" factor, then you may be surprised to learn that hippos produce their own version of sunscreen in their sweat. Their sweat even repels bugs and prevents skin infections. Talk about having talent. How many humans can they do that? However before we go smearing sweat over our bodies, scientists must first study hippo sweat and then create a product that embodies it.

Hippo sweat is a slick, reddish substance. It is so red in fact that the ancient Greeks believed that hippos were sweating blood. According to research the sweat is actually made up of two different pigments; one red and one orange. The red pigment which is referred to as hipposudoric acid contains the antibacterial properties which help fight skin infections as well as help speed the recovery of wounds. The orange pigment is referred to as norhipposudoric acid and helps block the sun. Scientists believe that the two pigments are made from metabolizing amino acids, also known as the building blocks of protein. The evolution of the hippo sweat is theorized by the fact that hippos must eat as much vegetation as they can at night. Then during the day while the food is digesting, they must wade around in water in order to cool off. The result was sunburned hippos.