Open AccessConditions influencing the appearance of thermal windows and the distribution of surface temperature in hauled-out southern elephant seals
Author(s) -
Alicia Guerrero,
Tracey L. Rogers,
Maritza Sepúlveda
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
conservation physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.942
H-Index - 37
ISSN - 2051-1434
DOI - 10.1093/conphys/coaa141
Subject(s) - blubber , thermal , elephant seal , body surface , skin temperature , atmospheric sciences , wing , environmental science , materials science , biology , meteorology , ecology , geology , geometry , physics , thermodynamics , medicine , mathematics , biomedical engineering
Using thermographic images, we found that southern elephant seals use their flippers as body heat controllers, regulating their temperature in response to ambient conditions, especially air temperature. The appearance of thermal windows, specific areas on the body showing higher temperatures, occurred preferentially when there was no wind.