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Grooming continued

Why Animals Self-Groom For example, penguins may spend 25 percent of their day
preening, he said. “It’s how they control parasites and make
Animals that groom themselves do so for a variety of reasons. sure their feathers are in the best condition.” Feathers that
For example, prey animals are motivated to clean their bodies are dirty, brittle, and out of place affect a bird’s ability to fly,
of odor-causing materials, such as food particles, urine, and thermoregulate, and insulate its body. Birds molt, or grow
microbes that could attract predators. new feathers, only once or twice a year. By preening, they
Some animals spend an inordinate amount of time grooming keep their plumage clean and supple between molts.
themselves. Among the Zoo’s super-groomers are the felidae, Most birds have a gland, called a uropygial gland located
the Zoo’s big cats. Studies have found that cats spend an estimated above the tail, that secretes an oil, said Hickman. They rub
30 to 50 percent of their waking hours licking themselves. their beak, bill, foot, or other body part across the gland
A cat’s tongue is covered in papillae or small spines that give it opening and pick up oil that they spread over their feathers.
a sandpaper texture, which helps remove dirt, parasites, and loose The oil waterproofs the feathers of penguins and other water
hairs, as well as distribute oily, lubricating secretions, called sebum, birds so the birds can float on water.
over their fur. Besides maintaining birds’ plumage condition, he said,
“Birds spend a good chunk of their time preening,” said “preening fills their day with activity and keeps them
Cody Hickman, associate director, Avian Care & Conservation. mentally stimulated.”

American white pelicans groom
themselves in the Zoo’s Formal Pool.

GATEWAYS | WHY ANIMALS GROOM
30 G A T E W A YS | WHY ANIM ALS GROOM