Animal Physiological and Behavioural Thermoregulatory Mechanisms: A Review

Authors: Adekur C and Onjoro P*

DOI: 10.23880/izab-16000674

Volume 9, Issue 2

Abstract

Thermoregulation refers to the ability of organisms to keep their internal temperature at a given range despite the changing environmental temperatures. It’s vital in homeostasis, physiological functions, reproductive success and survival of various animal species. This review paper explores the different physiological and behavioural thermoregulatory mechanisms in animals and their role in homeostasis, reproduction and survival of the animals. Animals are categorized into endotherms and ectotherms basing on the thermoregulatory behaviours that they employ to maintain their body temperature. Thermoregulation is strongly related to energy balance in animals and therefore less energy is used when the ambient temperature is similar to the thermal neutral zone of the animal. In incidences of thermal changes i.e. increased or decreased ambient temperatures, physiological mechanisms like shivering, evaporative cooling are employed to gain and lose heat respectively which increases energy expenditure. Endotherms (mammals & birds) also employ sophiscated behavioural mechanisms like communal huddling, nesting to minimize heat loss and wallowing/panting to facilitate evaporative cooling while ectotherms(reptiles & insects) bask under the sun to gain heat and seek shades to avoid thermal extremes. Behavioural mechanisms lower the animal activity thus reducing metabolic energy costs incurred in cold exposure and also hyperthermia associated with dehydration can be reduced during hot days. Behavioural mechanisms also avoid hypothermia as heat exchange is enhanced among the animals that commune together. Thermoregulation in animals is crucial as it influences various physiological, reproductive functions in the body and therefore understanding the behavioural and physiological thermoregulatory mechanisms provides insights into animals’ survival rates and performance in various environments.

Keywords: Behavioural; Physiological; Hyperthermia; Hypothermia; Homeostasis

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