title: Temperature regulation and microhabitat choice by free-ranging Galapagos fur seal pups (Arctocephalus galapagoensis).
abstract: Behavioural activity, and core and surface temperatures of 4 unrestrained Galapagos fur seals were recorded in the natural habitat during their first weeks of life. Climatic variables were registered simultaneously. Pup behaviours were divided into bouts of resting (55% of total time), sucking (23%) and other activities (22%). Pups maintained a constant body temperature from their first day. Core temperature (Te) was 37.7° C±0.3° C (x ± SD) over 39 pup-days and 8 pup-nights. Skin temperature was correlated with Tc, but flipper temperature was not. No daily Tcrhythm was detected. Microclimate data were used to calculate operative temperature Te. Environmental temperatures can be very high, with Teabove Tc6-9 h a day for animals exposed to the sun, but below it in the shade. Tcis about 22° C at night. Pups avoid overheating mainly by withdrawing into the shade and reducing activity to a minimum during the hot hours of the day. Sun-exposed pups could be active at any time during the day if they had access to water, which was usually around high tide.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131, Seewiesen, Germany.
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Limberger
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131, Seewiesen, Germany.
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Trillmich
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131, Seewiesen, Germany.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Biebach
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131, Seewiesen, Germany.
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Stevenson