What aspect of hydration status in animals is assessed through skin elasticity?

Skin elasticity is primarily indicative of skin turgor, which refers to the skin's ability to distend and then return to its original shape. When assessing hydration status in animals, skin turgor is evaluated by pinching the skin and observing how quickly it returns (or if it returns at all) to its normal position. If an animal is well-hydrated, the skin will quickly snap back into place, indicating good turgor. Conversely, if an animal is dehydrated, the skin may remain tented or slowly return to its position, signaling reduced elasticity and turgor.

The other choices relate to different aspects of the skin. Skin moisture pertains to the hydration level of the skin's outer layer but does not directly assess hydration status in the way that turgor does. Skin temperature can provide some insights into the overall health and circulatory status of the animal, but it is not a specific measure of hydration. Skin thickness, while it can change in certain health conditions, is not a standard measure for assessing hydration status. Thus, evaluating skin turgor is the most effective way to assess hydration status in animals.