Behavioral and Physiological Thermoregulation of Crocodilians

摘要: Crocodilians, like other reptiles, regulate their body temperatures by a combination of behavioral and physiological mechanisms. Behaviorally, they seek warm surface water or bask when cool avoid overheating the evaporation from dorsum, gaping retreating to deep, water. Physiologically, crocodilians increase cutaneous thermal conductance increasing blood flow skin (and subdermal musculature) during warming. This hastens warming process. Cutaneous is reduced general cooling locally if temperature exceeds temperature. enables significantly while basking in shallow Large appear be able alter rates heat exchange larger extent than small ones can do so with less cardiovascular involvement. crocodilians, lower surface/volume ratio, are capable producing sufficient metabolic elevate above