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Pelage Characteristics and Climate Change
A mammal's fur (pelage) controls its ability to thermoregulate.
Each species' pelage is uniquely adapted to optimize energy and water balance in its environment.
What can pelages tell us about how animals will respond to climate change?
BODY SIZE
Species with larger body sizes have higher thermoregulatory costs. Are pelages adapted to accommodate for body size differences?
PELAGE PROPERTIES
Fur properties such as hair length, density, and reflectivity impact thermoregulation. Which fur characteristic plays the greatest role?
ADAPTATION
How quickly must mammal pelages adapt to keep pace with increasing temperatures?
VULNERABILITY
Can we use pelage properties to predict which species are most vulnerable to climate change?
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