QUESTION:
Can ultraviolet rays give cancer to penguins or elephant seals
like it does to humans?

        Drew T., 6th grade, Taylor Road Middle School
        Alpharetta, GA


ANSWER from Tad Day,Palmer Station, Antarctica
            Date: Sun, 9 Feb 1997 00:30:57 -0500

Dear Drew, 

UV probably does not cause skin cancer in penguins or seals.
Penguins skin is covered by feathers. Feathers are not living cells,
so they are not damaged much, and the penguins replace all their 
feathers every year. Seals are fairly dark skinned, and have pigments
in there skin which act as natural sunscreens. While the skin
of animals here seems well protected from UV damage, no one is sure
about their eyes. UV can cause cataracts in humans, and this may
be a problem with the animals down here as well, but no one has
investigated it.

Thanks for your question!
Tad