Donald R Powers

Donald R Powers

Mar 13, 2017

Group 6 Copy 54
0
    Please wait...

    About This Project

    When hummingbirds use more energy than they consume, they use deep hypothermia (torpor) at night to lower energy costs. Torpor is not restorative like sleep so extended use can have physiological consequences. Our field work suggests hummingbirds might be capable of controlled shallow hypothermia. This would be a novel tool for periods of low energy intake. We will use thermal imaging to track nighttime body temperature to see if hummingbirds use the more restorative shallow hypothermia.

    Blast off!

    Browse Other Projects on Experiment

    Related Projects

    Using eDNA to examine protected California species in streams at Hastings Reserve

    Hastings Reserve is home to three streams that provide critical habitat for sensitive native species. Through...

    How do polar bears stay healthy on the world's worst diet?

    Polar bears survive almost entirely on seal fat. Yet unlike humans who eat high-fat diets, polar bears never...

    Uncovering hidden insect diversity associated with a likely undescribed gall-forming midge

    Does a likely undescribed species of gall-forming midge (pers. comm. Ray Gagné) on Eriodictyon plants (Yerba...

    Backer Badge Funded

    A biology project funded by 31 people