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Science 2 April 1971:
Vol. 172. no. 3978, pp. 67 - 69
DOI: 10.1126/science.172.3978.67
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Articles

Roadrunners: Energy Conservation by Hypothermia and Absorption of Sunlight

Robert D. Ohmart 1 and Robert C. Lasiewski 2

1 Department of Zoology, University of California, Davis 95616
2 Department of Zoology, University of California, Los Angeles 90024

Roadrunners sunning in artificial sunlight consume oxygen at standard (basal) levels at ambient temperatures as low as 9.0°C. Energy savings of sunning roadrunners averaged 551 calories per hour. In the dark, birds may undergo hypothermia. Hypothermic roadrunners can elevate their body temperatures to normal levels by sunning, at reduced metabolic cost.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Caterpillar Setae: Insulation for an Ectotherm.
T. M. CASEY and J. R. HEGEL (1981)
Science 214, 1131-1133
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)