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One thing I don't understand is how do animals get their Vitamin D since they are covered in fur. Surely it's not only humans for whom Vitamin D is important.
by 323 5y ago
One thing I don't understand is how do animals get their Vitamin D since they are covered in fur. Surely it's not only humans for whom Vitamin D is important.
- czzr 5y agoOther mammals synthesize vitamin D in their fur instead of their skin. We lost this option when we lost our fur, hence we’re more prone to vitamin D deficiencies.
- tpmx 5y agoVitamin D3 supplements are commonly made from sheep wool grease (lanolin).
- Aachen 5y agoWait, in fur? Hair is dead right? Or do those animals have something flow back in from the hair? Does our hair do that? Is our hair where our vitamin D is made?
- Someone 5y agoNot in(side) the hairs of their fur, on the hairs of their fur/in the entire fur. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D#Evolution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D#Evolution: In birds and fur-bearing mammals, fur or feathers block UV rays from reaching the skin. Instead, vitamin D is created from oily secretions of the skin deposited onto the feathers or fur, and is obtained orally during grooming. So they take vitamin D orally, producing it on their bodies.
- Aachen 5y agoI see, thanks!
- beagle3 5y agoI don’t know the answer, but different animals are very different in these respects; for example - humans and squirrels need to eat vitamin C, but other mammals synthesize it themselves.