In another thread it is noted that cats have a body temperature of about 101.5 degrees. Fascinating; I didn’t know that.
We know that humans are at 98.6, and now I know cats are around 101.5. What are the typical body termperatures of:
What mammals has the highest internal temperature and the lowest? Do smaller mammals generally run hotter than bigger?
The lowest temperature for active mammals belongs to Three-toed sloths, with a deep-body temperature as low as 28 C/82 F (or even 24 C/75 F according to one reference) or as high as 40 F/104 C. Sloths thermoregulate poorly, and their body temperature varies with the external temperature (usually within 10 C/18 F).
During hibernation the body temperature of the Arctic Ground Squirrel can drop up to 2 C below freezing without ill effects. (The body tissues don’t freeze because they are at a higher concentration than fresh water and their freezing temperature is thus lower.)
I should mention that monotremes (platypus and echidna) also have low and variable body temperatures, as do some marsupials.
Dog: 99F - 102.5F
Lion: 100.5F - 102.5F
Horse: 99.8F - 101.3F
Cow: ~101.5F
Elephant: 96.6f
Dolphin: 35C - 36.9C
Mice have several temperature set points. Their prefered body temperature changes with the environment and the food supply.