The thermoregulatory capacity of farmed chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera)

S. Lapinski, B. Barabasz, A. Makowski, P. Niedbala

The aim of this study was examination of temperature dependence of chinchilla body from thermal conditions and humidity pervade on farm. The investigations were carried out through 4 months on 38 individuals breed on three farms. A total of 414 measurements of chinchillas body temperature were completed. The body temperature was measured per rectum with the accuracy 0,1 oC. During experiment the temperature on the farm changes within the range from 1 oC to 21 oC with an air humidity from 10 % to 59 %. The body temperature of chinchilla ranged from 32,0 oC to 37,4 oC. Calculated mean was 34,2 oC ± 0,09 SE, is lower than temperature published generally in literature. It results with different temperature and environment humidity accompanying execution of measurements. Obtained results in this paper indicated on a big thermo regulative ability of chinchilla, regulating quick changes of body temperature on changing temperature of milieu. The analysis of variance showed statistically significant influence of ambient temperature and humidity on changes of chinchilla body temperature.

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