User:Asku7/Weddell seal

Thermoregulation
Neonatal Weddell seals have unique thermoregulatory strategies. Pups are not born with brown fat, as used in many species for thermoregulation (Elsner et. al. 1977). Instead, they heavily rely on lanugo, which is a fine layer of hair on the surface of their skin (Pearson et. al. 2014). Studies also revealed the high levels of enzyme activity in Weddell seal pup muscles, suggesting that a primary thermoregulatory strategy of the seals includes muscle thermogenesis (Pearson et. al. 2014).