uccsbiology
Evaporation via panting in dogs
One adaptation that allows animals to control their heat exchange with their environment is evaporation. Dogs are endotherms, meaning they generate their own heat through metabolic processes. When the environment is hotter than the animal’s body temperature, the animal gains heat from both the environment and metabolism and needs cooling. Evaporation is the only adaptation that allows animals to cool down. Water absorbs heat and when it evaporates, it takes the heat away. Animals can pant, as in this picture, or sweat, or bath to increase evaporation and cool down. This photo of my friend's dog was taken by me in Elbert, CO, on my friend's ranch in May, 2017.
Photo Credit: Abigail Vermillion, BIOL1300.001, Fall 2017.
Evaporation via panting in dogs
One adaptation that allows animals to control their heat exchange with their environment is evaporation. Dogs are endotherms, meaning they generate their own heat through metabolic processes. When the environment is hotter than the animal’s body temperature, the animal gains heat from both the environment and metabolism and needs cooling. Evaporation is the only adaptation that allows animals to cool down. Water absorbs heat and when it evaporates, it takes the heat away. Animals can pant, as in this picture, or sweat, or bath to increase evaporation and cool down. This photo of my friend's dog was taken by me in Elbert, CO, on my friend's ranch in May, 2017.
Photo Credit: Abigail Vermillion, BIOL1300.001, Fall 2017.