Thermal Behavior as a Function of the Time of Day: Heat Exchange Rates and Oxygen Consumption in the Lacertid Lizard Lacerta viridis

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Abstract
The European green lizard Lacerta viridis heats more rapidly than it cools when tested during the activity portion of its daily cycle. In contrast, slower rates of cooling relative to heating are not typical when lizards are tested during their normal scotophase rest period. Furthermore, L. viridis cools at a slower rate than do other lizards of equal size. Simultaneously measured oxygen consumption displayed an inverse pattern during daytime heating and cooling with significantly higher metabolic rates during 75% of the entire cooling process, whereas nighttime metabolic responses were practically identical during both heating and cooling. Responses to acute heating and cooling varied according to the time of day tested, coinciding with the activity and rest phases.