THE RELATION BETWEEN THERMAL HISTORY AND COLD RESISTANCE IN CERTAIN SPECIES OF RODENTS

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Abstract
Acclimation of deer mice, white mice, and rats to lower temperatures progressively increased the time to death (resistance time), and lowered the temperature producing death in a given time (resistance temperature). A lower limit to acclimation was reached at 1° to −10 °C. for mice. Sex and body weight affected cold resistance to only a minor extent. Average lethal heat debts were 20 to 24 cal. per gm. for deer mice and white mice. Rats were more resistant than deer mice, and deer mice were more resistant than white mice to low temperatures. No difference in pelage insulation was found in deer mice acclimated to 10° or 30 °C.