Energetic Influences on the Life History of Glaucomys volans

Abstract

Glaucomys volans is nocturnal, active during the winter, and has a low metabolic rate and conductance for its size. Body mass of G. volans was greater in winter than in summer, but there were no seasonal differences in basal metabolic rate or conductance. Energetic constraints may partially explain why many life-history characteristics of this species are relatively conservative compared to diurnal tree squirrels and to other mammals of similar mass.

Glaucomys volans, metabolism, energetics, life history