Thermoregulation in the largest African cricetid, the giant rat Cricetomys gambianus.
1. Thermoregulation, metabolism and minimum conductance in Africa's largest cricetid, Cricetomys gambianus (1870.9 +/- 194.2 g), were investigated. 2. A mean minimal resting metabolic rate of 0.61 +/- 0.09 ml O2/g/hr (139% of that predicted), a minimal conductance of 0.04 +/- 0.01 ml O2/g/degrees C/hr (195% of that predicted), a thermoneutral zone from 21 to 34 degrees C and a mean body temperature of 35.6 +/- 1.1 degree C below an ambient temperature of 20 degrees C were found. 3. It was concluded that giant rats are physiologically adapted to burrowing habits, but only within cool environments, and are precluded from exploiting drier areas.
D000064:Acclimatization; D000818:Animals; D003411:Arvicolinae / Q000502:physiology*; D001831:Body Temperature; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D012621:Seasons; D013019:South Africa