1. 1. The response of oxygen consumption (VO2), thermal conductance (Cd and Cmin, body temperature (Tb), and evaporative water loss (EWL) of Tatera leucogaster and Desmodillus auricularis were measured over the range of ambient temperatures (Ta) from 5–35°C.
2. 2. Basal metabolic rate (BMR) of T. leucogaster was 0.841 ± 0.049 ml O2 g?1 h?1 and lower than predicted, while that of D. auricularis was similar to the expected value (1.220 ± 0.058 ml O2 g?1 h?1). D. auricularis had a high, narrow thermoneutral zone (TNZ) typical of nocturnal, xerophilic, burrowing rodents.
3. 3. D. auricularis and T. leucogaster regulated Tb over the range Ta = 5–35°C and kept EWL and dry thermal conductance at a minimum below the TNZ. However, the EWL of T. leucogaster increased rapidly above Ta = 30°C.
4. 4. After comparison with data from other species, it was concluded that there is an optimum size for xeric, nocturnal, burrowing rodents.
Author Keywords: thermoregulation; BMR; gerbil
