Despite its pachydermic appearance, the skin of the elephant is fragile. Very sensitive, grey, supple and wrinkled, it is not a carapace. Its thickness varies between 0.39 and 0.78inches (1 and 2cm), depending on the body parts. In some places, such as between the belly and hind legs, it hangs. To avoid exposing it to biting insects, pests and sunlight, the elephant bathes a lot and regularly sprinkles with mud or dust. All the folds favor the evacuation of heat by increasing the skin surface. Despite a very thin layer of subcutaneous fat, the elephant tolerates cold quite well.