Temperature regulation in the somali donkey (Equus asinus).

Abstract

In controlled laboratory experiments the metabolic rate, body temperature, respiratory, sweat and heart rates were measured in adult donkeys weighing between 125 and 180 kg.At high ambient temperatures Ta (40–50°C) the sweating rate rose to 145 g H2O/m2 per hr and the respiratory rate to approximately 130/min. In cool conditions (10°C) the metabolic rate rose to approximately 5 ml oxygen/kg per min from a value in thermal neutrality (22–32°C) of 4 ml/kg per min. Between ambient temperatures of 5 and 50°C the rectal temperature Tr ranged from 35 to 39°C.