Body Temperatures of Malaysian Rain Forest Mammals

Abstract

Rectal temperatures of 23 species of Malaysian mammals were recorded during the course of an intensive mark-recapture program in rain forest. Repeated capture allowed repetitive readings for many individuals over several months. Individual variations and group comparisons are tabulated and discussed. Comparisons are made with body temperatures of arctic and temperate mammals. It was concluded that mean temperature for all tropical mammals described in this study was lower than in higher latitude forms, but that comparisons, to be meaningful, should be restricted to equivalent taxonomic groups.