Summary
Energy metabolism of brown lemmings in summer pelage was measured over long periods at several air temperatures, with and without a real nest or artificial nest material. Resting metabolism of lemmings at T a=-16°C was 43% higher than that of lemmings in nests. As T a increased, the difference between resting metabolism of animals with and without nests decreased and was similar at T a=20°C. The energy saved at rest is equivalent to a reduction of approximately 40% in the thermal conductance. Independent estimates of energy savings due to nest insulation by analysis of cooling curves of a lemming model with and without a nest suggest a 46% reduction in thermal conductance due to the nest. At T a=0°C, baby lemmings huddled in a nest had equilibrium temperature excesses (T b-T a) four to five times higher than isolated nestlings outside the nest. These data indicate that there is a substantial energy savings at ecologically relevant air temperatures, and that energy savings increase as T a decreases. If the insulative value of the nest is similar whether the animal is in summer or winter pelage, these data suggest that heat production of a resting lemming would be 0.88 W (about 1.6 times BMR), while in nests at subnivean air temperatures typical of Barrow, Alaska, during the winter.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bakken GS (1976a) A heat transfer analysis of animals: Unifying concepts and the application of metabolic chamber data to field ecology. J Theor Biol 60:337–384
Bakken GS (1976b) An improved method for determining thermal conductance and equilibrium body temperature with cooling curve experiments. J Therm Biol 1:169–175
Bakken GS, Gates DM (1975) Heat transfer analysis in animals: Some implications for field ecology, physiology, and evolution. In: DM Gates and RB Schmerl (eds) Perspectives of Biophysical Ecology Springer-Verlag, New York, Ecological Studies, Vol 12:405–415
Banks EM, Brooks RJ, and Schnell J (1975) Home range and activity of the brown lemmings. J Mamm 56:888–901
Benson CS (1969) The seasonal snow cover of arctic Alaska. Arc Inst North Amer Res Pap 51:47 p
Brewer MC (1958) Some results of geothermal investigations of permafrost in Northern Alaska. Trans Amer Geophys Union 39:19–26
Casey TM, Withers PC, Casey KK (1979) Metabolic and respiratory responses of Arctic Mammals to ambient temperature during the summer. Comp Biochem Physiol
Cena K, Clark JA (1979) Transfer of heat through animal coats and clothing. In: D Robertshaw (ed), Environmental Physiology III, Vol 20 Int Rev Physiol, University Park Press, Baltimore
Chappell MA (1980a) Insulation, radiation and convection in small arctic mammals. J Mammal 61:268–277
Chappell MA (1980b) Thermal energetics and thermoregulatory costs of small Arctic mammals. J Mammal 61:278–291
Coady J (1975) Bioenergetics of the brown lemming (Lemmus sibericus). PhD Dissertation, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AL p 117
Fisher K, Needler ME (1975) Spontaneous activity of the lemming Dicrostonyx groenlandicus richardsoni Merriam as indicated in 24-h records of oxygen consumption. J Cell Comp Physiol 50:293–308
Gebczysnki M (1975) Heat economy and energy cost of growth in the bank vole during the first month of postnatal life. Acta Theriol 29:379–434
Gessaman JA (1972) Bioenergetics of the snowy owl (Nyctea scandiaca). Arc Alp Res 4:223–238
Glaser H, Lustick S (1975) Energetics and nesting behavior of the northern white-fotted mouse, Peromyseus leucopus noveboracensis. Physiol Zool 48:105–113
Hart JS, Heroux O (1955) Exercise and temperature regulation in lemmings and rabbits. Can J Biochem Physiol 33:428–443
Hill RW (1972) The amount of maternal care in Peromyscus leucopus and its therimal significance for the young. J Mammal 53:774–790
Hill RW (1976) The ontogeny of hemeothermy in neonatal Peromyscus leucopus. Physiol Zool 49:292–305
Hissa R (1968) Postnatal development of thermoregulation in the Norwegian lemming and the golden hamster. Ann Zool Fenn 5:345–383
Irving L, Krog J, Monson M (1955) The metabolism of some Alaskan animals in winter and summer. Physiol Zool 23(3):173–185
Kelley JJ, Jr Weaver DF (1969) Physical processes at the surface of the Arctic tundra. Arctic 22:425–437
MacLean SF, Jr, Fitzgerald BM, Pitelka FA (1974) Population cycles in arctic lemmings: winter repreduction and predation by weasels. Arc Alp Res 6:1–12
Morrison PR, Grodzinski WA (1975) Morrison respirometer and determination of ADMR. In: W Grodzinski, RN Klekowski and A Duncan (eds), Methods for Ecological Bioenergetics. IBP Handbook No 24, AS Brown and Sons, LTD
Morrison PR, Ryser F, Strecker RL (1954) Growth and development of temperature regulation in the tundra redback vole. J Mamm 35:376–386
Morrison PR, Tietz WJ (1957) Cooling and thermal conductivity in three small Alaskan mammals. J Mamm 38:78–86
Pearson OP (1960) The oxygen consumption and bioenergetics of harvest mice. Physiol Zool 33:152–160
Peterson RM, Jr, Batzli GO, Banks EM (1976) Activity and energetics of the brown lemming in its natural habitat. Arc Alp Res 8:131–138
Scholander PF, Walters V, Hock R, Irving L (1950a) Body insulation of some arctic and tropical mammals and birds. Biol Bull 99:225–236
Scholander PF, Hock R, Walters V, Johnson F, Irving L (1950b) Heat regulation in some arctic and tropical mammals and birds. Biol Bull 99:237–258
Strecker RI, Morrison PR (1952) Observations on lemmings from Barter Island, Alaska. J Mamm 33:180–184
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Casey, T.M. Nest insulation: Energy savings to brown lemmings using a winter nest. Oecologia 50, 199–204 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348038
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348038