Where'd that other leg go? - EXPLORED 1-3-14 #16
Updated: OK, this is how herons' circulatory systems work:
- Warm blood circulates in the body.
- Warm blood goes downward from the body toward the legs.
- As it passes the cooler blood returning from the legs toward the body, the warmth is passed from the downward blood to the upward blood.
- So because it gave up its warmth to the upward blood, the downward blood is cool as it arrives in the legs. This means there is little difference between the temperature of the legs and the temperature of the water (or air) the legs are standing in. Since there is little difference, the legs are not additionally cooled by exposure to cold water (or cold air).
- And because it received warmth from the downward blood, the upward blood is warm as it arrives back at the body. It stays warm in the body because of all those lovely feathers of insulation.
As far as the missing leg? I can't tell you where he hid it, but this heron does have two legs - the other one is simply tucked up out of the way - probably staying warm...
Where'd that other leg go? - EXPLORED 1-3-14 #16
Updated: OK, this is how herons' circulatory systems work:
- Warm blood circulates in the body.
- Warm blood goes downward from the body toward the legs.
- As it passes the cooler blood returning from the legs toward the body, the warmth is passed from the downward blood to the upward blood.
- So because it gave up its warmth to the upward blood, the downward blood is cool as it arrives in the legs. This means there is little difference between the temperature of the legs and the temperature of the water (or air) the legs are standing in. Since there is little difference, the legs are not additionally cooled by exposure to cold water (or cold air).
- And because it received warmth from the downward blood, the upward blood is warm as it arrives back at the body. It stays warm in the body because of all those lovely feathers of insulation.
As far as the missing leg? I can't tell you where he hid it, but this heron does have two legs - the other one is simply tucked up out of the way - probably staying warm...