Patterns of activity and body temperature of Aldabra giant tortoises in relation to environmental temperature.

ABSTRACT: We studied the temperature relations of wild and zoo Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) focusing on (1) the relationship between environmental temperature and tortoise activity patterns (n = 8 wild individuals) and (2) on tortoise body temperature fluctuations, including how their core and external body temperatures vary in relation to different environmental temperature ranges (seasons; n = 4 wild and n = 5 zoo individuals). In addition, we surveyed the literature to review the effect of body mass on core body temperature range in relation to environmental temperature in the Testudinidae. Diurnal activity of tortoises was bimodally distributed and influenced by environmental temperature and season. The mean air temperature at which activity is max

SUBMITTER: Falcon W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5817133 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature