We - warm-blooded creatures and our bodies comes from the heat. When we get together several times the amount of heat increases, which sometimes leads us into a state of discomfort (for example, in the subway). People do not like the closeness to nature of psychosocial reasons - most of us do not want others invading personal space. But for some living creatures bask in each of the other - an urgent need.
When the birds get in large flocks, they not only provide a protection from predators, but also each other warm on cold nights. Emperor Penguin is perhaps the most characteristic example of how to pack provides heat. Penguins live and breed in the cold climate of the Antarctic, their bodies adapted to low temperatures, and the record here - the Emperor penguin. Under his skin is a thick layer of fat on the skin - a layer of fluff, which is not breathable, followed by a layer of waterproof feathers, which aim to protect the body from falling on him ice water. This means that the penguin is no problem at, say, minus 10 degrees Celsius. But in the depths of the Antarctic thermometer falls to minus 70. Birds survive in such cold weather, faltering in the pack. Those who are outside, freezing more than others, so every now and then they dive into the circle to keep warm, and then return to their seats - up until one comes their turn to switch to other birds.
In the Arctic winter temperature drops to minus 35 degrees Celsius. But it is not worried about the polar bear, which spends most of his life on the giant floating ice.
White Bear withstand these extreme conditions thanks to its fur. The top layer of fur consists of long, oily, hollow hairs, which hold the body of this 600-pound mammal on the surface of water during its regular dives into the icy waters of the ocean. Fur Bear also has a water repellent, so the bear can shake and once again become dry, as it makes the dog. It will also aim to protect from moisture bottom layer of fur. Dense soft retains heat and helps in the buoyancy of the animal. Another of the "tricks" of polar bears - to allow the snow to fall asleep himself while sleeping or hunting, that protects the animal from cold winds.
The biggest enemy of the polar bear (with the exception of man, hunted him for skins and meat) - is hot. During the cold season, the main source of food for polar bears, seals, forced to climb out of the sea water on the ice surface through the hole so the bear lies motionless for hours about her and patiently watches. But in the summer, when the ice area decreases, the polar bear becomes vulnerable. Because of the dependence of polar bears from global warming, cold weather puts the life of the animal especially the risk. In the Arctic, climate change is already fixed in the direction of warming, sea ice cover is less time than before, and Polar Bear have longer without food. Condition of his body is deteriorating as a result suffers animal reproduction. The polar bear has virtually disappeared everywhere in the southernmost habitats of its habitat.
subcutaneous fat
Mammals that spend most of their time in water, such as whales, seals and dolphins, have a layer of fat, which helps them keep warm. For those of mammals, who in pursuit of prey have to dive, one fur for protection against the cold is not enough because the water pressure "blows" of fur pockets of air. Meanwhile, the water temperature in the Arctic Ocean and Antarctic seas may be minus 4 degrees Celsius.
Layer of fat protects against cold blood vessels, and keeps reserves of nutrients. Also, the layer of fat helps the animals during swimming. The colder the water temperature in the region where the animal lives, the thicker layer of his fat.
Escaping from the cold
Another way to overcome the cold - is running away from him, and best of all it makes the birds. The migration of birds is one of the wonders of nature. These small creatures fly hundreds or even thousands of kilometers, heading for warmer climates.
Birds migrate not only to the south, but also in the Nordic countries. Thus, two species of thrushes from Scandinavia arrive in the UK to spend the winter.
Migrate to the south, not only birds but other animals: gray whale arrives from the Arctic seas in the tropics move south in search of food hoofed animals such as reindeer in the Arctic and antelope, wildebeest in Africa. Migrate even butterflies: Monarch, a large orange and black butterfly from North America, makes flights each fall, sometimes huge groups of millions of butterflies, from the U.S. to Mexico.
Hibernation
Hibernation - is an effective way to survive for many warm-blooded animals in regions with cold climates. Hibernating fall and warm-blooded animals - hedgehogs, bats, bears, and cold-blooded - newts, turtles, butterflies.
Unfortunately, the human organism is not adapted to the state of suspended animation, which is necessary for hibernation and for which slows the heartbeat, metabolism, respiration and other processes.
Human experience
In the human body has a number of ways to resist the cold. Usually naked man begins to freeze in a little water at a temperature of below plus 25 degrees Celsius. When the water temperature decreases, blood vessels dilate, increasing the pressure and the skin is covered with goose bumps - a useless attempt to keep the warm air near the skin. Due to the contraction of muscles a person begins to shiver, and the body begins to produce five times more heat than usual. In order to keep heat in the vital organs is the outflow of blood in them from the less important for the functioning of the body parts of the body such as hands, feet and nose.
People-"walruses" accustom themselves to the cold water temperature through constant training and consumption of high calorific food.
Only here the current abnormally warm winter to train with them, probably does not work.
Source: Jonathan Brown, Michael McCarthy
http://animaldin.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment