Cooling rates and body temperature regulation of hibernating echidnas(Tachyglossus aculeatus)
Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: Echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) are amongst the largest deep hibernators, but it is difficult to get them to hibernate normally under laboratory conditions. We measured body temperature (Tb) in 14 free-ranging echidnas using implanted data-loggers. Cooling during entry into hibernation bouts followed a Newtonian cooling curve, and conductances calculated from cooling curves were identical to those observed in cold exposed euthermic echidnas. Comparison with a reference soil temperature demonstrated that echidnas showed behavioural thermoregulation during hibernation; early in the hibernation season echidnas preferred to hibernate in cool areas, while during the coldest months they moved to warmer hibernacula, giving a preferred Tb in the range 8-10 degrees C. Thermal buffering against excessive variation in Tb may be as important as maintaining a low Tb.
Source: Journal of Experimental Biology
DOI: 10.1242/jeb.02701
Authors: Stewart C. Nicol, Niels A. Andersen
Institution: University of Tasmania
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2052932428