Huddling in groups leads to daily energy savings in free‐living African Four‐Striped Grass Mice, Rhabdomys pumilio

摘要: Summary 1Free-living animals make complex decisions associated with optimizing energy and nutrient intake. In environments where ambient temperatures fall below the thermoneutral zone, homeotherms must choose whether or not to forage, how long what forage for, perform activities that conserve energy. 2Huddling in groups has been thought of as a possible means conserving energy. Laboratory studies have shown at low individuals expend less than by themselves. However, yet demonstrate thermoregulatory savings can an impact on overall daily expenditure (DEE) free-living animals. 3Here we show that, laboratory, African Four-Striped Grass Mice (Rhabdomys pumilio) per individual large smaller groups. We also when were experimentally reduced one-half their original size, DEE water turnover increased 19% 37%, respectively. 4The magnitudes reduction comparable calculated from laboratory. One reasons why this species may sometimes occur is energetic benefits be gained through huddling habitats which food are scarce.