Abstract
Radiotelemetry techniques were employed to study the relationship between activity and abdominal temperature (Tb) changes in free-ranging muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus). Body cooling accompanied foraging activity by adults in winter and juveniles in summer and was retarded by periodic withdrawal from water. Net Tb decline during winter foraging rarely exceeded 2 °C and was relatively independent of foraging time for excursions exceeding 40 min duration. In addition to periodic rewarming within feeding shelters, muskrats appeared to avoid hypothermia during under-ice excursions by elevating Tb prior to entering water. This elevation was maximal (mean increase = 1.2 °C) for excursions exceeding 40 min duration. Comparable increases were not observed in summer.
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