bio (1105) - MaB: temperature adaptations

talked about adaptations for native animals today, in particular about temperature moderation.

bringing back our friend the kangaroo

structural adaptations for heatloss include long ears (like the bilby has as well)

and behavioural to lose heat include licking forelimbs (evaporation, and there are heaps of blood vesselsa round here, just like the bilby's ears) and they sit in the shade when its hot

physiological adaptations include the fact they have really concentrated urine, to reduce waterloss as much as possible.

reptiles come out in the sunlight when its cold, and burrow when its hot.

dark colours absorb light, but we all knew that, but it almost means they absorb more heat.

and talking about the difference between torpor and hibernation:

- hibernation lasts for months (usually whole winter)
- hibernation greatly drops metabolism, heart rate and breathing
- temperature drops a little, but stays constant

- torpor only lasts for a week or two
- is common in bats
- their temperature drops greatly

also note that smaller animals lose heat faster because they have a higher surface area to volume ratio