Effect of clipping the coat of the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) on the thermoregulatory responses.

Effect of clipping the coat of the Japanese macaque on thermoregulatory responses was studied. Heat production was significantly increased in clipped animals in comparison without clipped coats at ambient temperatures ranging from 5 to 25 degrees C. At ambient temperatures of 5, 15, and 25 degrees C tissue thermal conductance and cooling constant were significantly higher in clipped animals. Clipped animals could maintain thermal equilibrium at an ambient temperature of 5 degrees C, conpensating for the increase of heat loss by elevating heat production markedly.