Variability of heating and cooling rates during radiant heating in a scincid lizard, Egernia cunninghami.

Heating rates were significantly greater than cooling rates in Egernia cunninghami. Male lizards had significantly slower cooling rates than females, while heating rates of both sexes were similar. Faster heating and cooling rates were recorded in the earlier months of the 32-week experiment than during the winter season. The effect of infra-red heat intensity on heating and cooling rates was apparent only in the winter months. Painting the animals black retarded the radiant heating rates, rather than enhancing them.