Torpor

Torpor is a physiological state of the body. It occurs in some small warm-blooded animals when food is scarce.

Some animals have periods of torpor every day, including hummingbirds. So do some small mammals, for example, rodent species (such as mice), and bats. Many small marsupials also have daily periods of torpor.

Torpor is a well controlled thermoregulatory process. It is not the result of switching off thermoregulation.

References

  1. ↑ Hainsworth F.R. & Wolf L.L. 1970 (1970). "Regulation of oxygen consumption and body temperature during torpor in a hummingbird, Eulampis jugularis". Science. 168 (3929): 368–369. Bibcode:1970Sci...168..368R. doi:10.1126/science.168.3929.368. PMID 5435893. S2CID 30793291.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ↑ "Hummingbirds". Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Archived from the original on 2008-02-14.
  3. ↑ Bartels W; Law B.S. & Geiser F. 1998 (1998). "Daily torpor and energetics in a tropical mammal, the northern blossom-bat Macroglossus minimus (Megachiroptera)". Journal of Comp. Physiol. B. 168 (3): 233–239. Bibcode:1998JCmPB.168..233B. doi:10.1007/s003600050141. PMID 9591364. S2CID 16870476.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ↑ Geiser Fritz 1994 (1994). "Hibernation and daily torpor in marsupials – a review". Australian Journal of Zoology. 42 (1): 1–16. doi:10.1071/zo9940001. S2CID 84914662.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ Geiser, Fritz 2004. (2004). "Metabolic rate and body temperature reduction during hibernation and daily torpor". Annu. Rev. Physiol. 66 (66): 239–274. doi:10.1146/annurev.physiol.66.032102.115105. PMID 14977403.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)