~ Koala Physiology ~

* Unlike bears or seals, koalas do not rely on a layer of fat below the skin as a form of insulation. koalas2.jpg
* Blood flow to extremities in cold weather, as in humans, can be reduced, resulting in the conservation of heat.
* 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.
* 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.
-- From: Koalas - Australia's Ancient Ones by Ken Phillips --


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