Shared Interest Groups

Behavioural Thermoregulation

Animals have the ability to control their body temperature by adopting different postures, sharing body heat (social thermoregulation) seeking favourable microclimates or by migrating over large distances.

Credit:C. Toscani

Behavioural thermoregulation for some species is important during critical stages of their lifecycle, for example when young, when moult reduces insulation or during winter. Changes in behaviour through human interference and disturbance may have thermal consequences.

The main aim of this research is to understand the energetic costs of different behaviours and the evolutionary consequences of these energy saving strategies.

Project Links - Huddling energetics of moulting elephant seals