How Does Fur Keep Animals Warm in Cold Water?
Monday, November 23, 2015 - 06:00
in Biology & Nature
Rather than relying on a thick layer of body fat for insulation as many aquatic mammals do, some seabirds and semiaquatic mammals such as fur seals and otters trap a layer of air in their feathers and furs for thermal insulation against the ice cold drink. Now a team of researchers from MIT has experimentally studied the trapping of air in hairy surfaces and the water-repellent properties of undeformable hairy textures, which is key for animals' thermal regulation. The researchers will present the study at APS's DFD Fall 2015 Meeting.