Polar bear locomotion: body temperature and energetic cost
The metabolic response of a 190-kg polar bear was tested at four different walking speeds within a respiration chamber mounted on a treadmill. Regressions of deep body temperature and oxygen consumption as a function of walking speed were determined. Equilibrium deep body temperature increased expon...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1982
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z82-005 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z82-005 |
| Summary: | The metabolic response of a 190-kg polar bear was tested at four different walking speeds within a respiration chamber mounted on a treadmill. Regressions of deep body temperature and oxygen consumption as a function of walking speed were determined. Equilibrium deep body temperature increased exponentially with speed of locomotion and indicated a relative inability to dissipate metabolic heat at high walking speeds. Metabolic rate, as measured by weight-specific oxygen consumption, was also best fit by a curvilinear equation and was twice that predicted by a general equation for quadruped locomotion. The apparent inefficiency of locomotion in polar bears suggests a compromise between thermoregulation, hunting strategies, and economy of transport. |
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