User:Crichm3/Rhim gazelle

Physiological Adaptations
Rhim gazelles use a special type of temperature regulation called heterothermy to survive in this harsh desert climate. With heterothermy – animals no longer keep their body temperature within a narrow range [2]. Heterothermy in Rhim gazelles results in an increase in body temperature during the heat of the day that reduces the amount of evaporative cooling that gazelles would need to do in order to stay cool [1]. By reducing evaporative cooling, gazelles reduce energy expenditure and conserve body water. During cooler temperatures at night, the stored heat can be released, allowing the gazelles’ body temperature to decrease back to a normal physiological range [1]. Rhim gazelles maintain a normal skin temperature of about 35-°C in the summer and about 25-°C in the winter [1]. When heterothermy is employed, the gazelle experiences a body temperature increase of 5-20°C depending on seasonal conditions [1].