birding-aus
Ahh, this brings back the second year Zoology memories!
I remember the ability of gulls and other birds to stand on ice was neatly
explained in our physiology classes as an example of a counter current
mechanism. Such physiological adaptations also occur in the fins of
penguins.
I wonder whether the converse is true ie. the ability to withstand extreme
heat? Does anyone remember the footage on a Attenborough documentary of
desert dwellers with a lizard that lifted alternate feet when standing on
the hot desert sands?
Martin O'Brien
Executive Scientific Officer
Scientific Advisory Committee
Threatened Species Program
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
4/250 Victoria Pde.,
East Melbourne, 3002
Victoria, AUSTRALIA
tel: +61 3 9412 4567
fax: +61 3 9412 4586
e-mail:
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