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Unlike bears or seals, koalas do not rely on a layer of fat below
the skin as a form of insulation.
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Blood flow to extremities in cold weather, as in humans, can be
reduced, resulting in the conservation of heat.
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Shivering has also been observed in cold climes as a means of
creating heat through rapid contractions of certain muscles. This
seems to occur when outdoor temperatures drop below 10 degrees
Centigrade.
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When temperatures exceed 25-30 degrees Centigrade, koalas use
evaporative cooling in their airways to regulate body temperature by
increasing respiration rates. They can simultaneously reduce water
loss by decreasing the amount of water in their urine.
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