6 animals that are susceptible to coronavirus, and 4 that aren’t

The novel coronavirus SARS-COV-2, which causes Covid-19, is zoonotic — meaning it can infect and be transmitted by animals.

In a new study, scientists pin-pointed animals that are at a higher or lower risk of becoming infected.

The team accomplished this by studying a particular enzyme carried by the animals (and us), called ACE2.

ACE2 is normally used by our body to regulate things like inflammation, blood pressure, and wound-healing. The grooves in its protein structure allow it to capture harmful proteins.

However, the coronavirus’s spikey exterior fits right into ACE-2’s grooves, allowing it to invade our bodies.

The scientists analyzed the ACE2 enzyme of 410 vertebrate animals, including 252 mammal species (plus a smattering of birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish).

Here are two animals from each category: very high risk, high risk, medium risk, low risk, and very low risk.

Western Lowland Gorilla

Chimpanzee

Beluga Whale

White Tailed Deer

Cat

Sheep

Dog

Horse

Guinea Pig

Sea Otter