The effect of temperature on the evolution of an animal’s surface area to volume ratio

Maeghan Rush, Marlie Nightengale, Rendi Rogers, Traci Richardshon

Abstract


We are testing the effect of surface area to volume ratio on heating and cooling rates. The problem being faced is why animals are shaped differently in different climates. The Midwest Museum previously rejected another author’s proposal of the results due to protests (French, 2014). Rather than using live badgers for our experiment, we will be using clay models to test the effect of surface area to volume ratio on heating and cooling rates. We tested the rates of three different shapes over a set period of time. The experiment helps to explain why animals in different climates have varying body shapes.


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References


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