SEASONAL CHANGES IN INSULATION OF THE FUR

Seasonal changes in insulation of the fur have been compared in nine species of arctic and North temperate zone mammals. Relative seasonal changes ranged from 12 to 52% of the winter value. Absolute changes were greatest in the larger mammals with thickest fur. The limited seasonal insulative change...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian Journal of Zoology
Main Author: Hart, J. S.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1956
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z56-007
http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z56-007
Description
Summary:Seasonal changes in insulation of the fur have been compared in nine species of arctic and North temperate zone mammals. Relative seasonal changes ranged from 12 to 52% of the winter value. Absolute changes were greatest in the larger mammals with thickest fur. The limited seasonal insulative change in small mammals suggests that changes in heat production may be important in seasonal acclimatization.