sunbathing The exposure of its body to sunshine by an animal as a means of thermoregulation (mainly in poikilotherms) or to stimulate the production of vitamin D in the skin. Many animals prefer to rest in warm (but not hot) sunshine, thereby conserving metabolic energy that otherwise would be needed to maintain body temperature.

sunbathing The exposure of its body to sunshine by an animal as a means of thermoregulation (mainly in poikilotherms) or to stimulate the production of vitamin D in the skin. Many animals prefer to rest in warm (but not hot) sunshine, thereby conserving metabolic energy that otherwise would be needed to maintain body temperature.