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Who needs a jacket? Grand Canyon elk soak in the sun rays on a snowy day

A group of elk relax in the snow after a winter storm dropped several inches at Grand Canyon National Park. Elk can keep warm in temperatures of up to -40 degrees by acquiring a thick, double-layer fur coat in the colder months. According to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the hairs are honeycomb-like in appearance and have thousands of tiny air pockets, making the fur both warm and waterproof. The coat is so dense and efficient at trapping heat that it can prevent snow from melting right on the elk's back. (Photo/NPS)

A group of elk relax in the snow after a winter storm dropped several inches at Grand Canyon National Park. Elk can keep warm in temperatures of up to -40 degrees by acquiring a thick, double-layer fur coat in the colder months. According to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the hairs are honeycomb-like in appearance and have thousands of tiny air pockets, making the fur both warm and waterproof. The coat is so dense and efficient at trapping heat that it can prevent snow from melting right on the elk's back. (Photo/NPS)

A group of elk relax in the snow after a winter storm dropped several inches at Grand Canyon National Park. Elk can keep warm in temperatures of up to -40 degrees by acquiring a thick, double-layer fur coat in the colder months. According to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the hairs are honeycomb-like in appearance and have thousands of tiny air pockets, making the fur both warm and waterproof. The coat is so dense and efficient at trapping heat that it can prevent snow from melting right on the elk's back.


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