Guard hairs repel water: reindeer

1 of 2 Mountain Caribou / Alan D. Wils.. / License

The coat of reindeer repels water via long guard hairs.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Excess liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Waterproofing materials for roofs and walls, especially in areas with heavy rainfall; water-repellent cases for computers and electronics; water-repellent packaging; water-repellent coatings for concrete, wood, and other surfaces.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Naturally, animals that live in polar regions have the warmest coats of all. The reindeer's coat combines long, water-repelling guard hairs with an extremely dense underfur, deep-piled like a shag carpet." (Foy and Oxford Scientific Films 1982:84)

About the inspiring organism

caribou
Rangifer tarandus (Linnaeus, 1758)
[reindeer]

IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern
Habitat(s): Forest, Grassland, Rocky Areas, Shrubland

Some organism data provided by: ITIS: The Integrated Taxonomic Information System
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Waterproofing materials for roofs and walls, especially in areas with heavy rainfall; water-repellent cases for computers and electronics; water-repellent packaging; water-repellent coatings for concrete, wood, and other surfaces.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Building, electronics, packaging, coatings

References

Foy, Sally; Oxford Scientific Films. 1982. The Grand Design: Form and Colour in Animals. Lingfield, Surrey, U.K.: BLA Publishing Limited for J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd, Aldine House, London. 238 p.

Guard hairs repel water: reindeer

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