Rattlesnake denning: theoretical considerations on winter temperatures |
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Authors: | F N White R C Lasiewski |
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Institution: | Departments of Physiology and Zoology, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | Aggregations of over-wintering rattlesnakes are considered as a hypothetical metabolic unit. Estimates of fat consumption are utilized to predict heat production during the denning season. Previously determined temperature heat production curves allow prediction of a mean body temperature for the winter season which is around 15°C above the ambient den site temperature. An estimate from the previously derived relationship between heat production per unit surface area and body temperature predicts a reduction in aggregate effective surface area of 40 % of the summed surface areas of the individual animals constituting the hypothetical aggregation. |
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