1. Radiation: Animals release heat through the surface of their bodies. This is the primary mode of heat loss in most mammals, birds, and reptiles.
2. Convection: When an animal moves through air or water, it loses heat through convection. The moving air or water carries away the heat from the animal's body.
3. Evaporation: When an animal sweats or pants, it loses heat through evaporation. The evaporation of water from the skin surface absorbs heat from the body and releases it into the environment.
4. Conduction: Animals can also lose heat through conduction by touching cooler objects like water, rocks, or soil.
Heat Gain:
1. Absorption of Solar Radiation: Animals can absorb heat directly from sunlight. This is especially important for ectothermic animals (cold-blooded animals like reptiles) that rely on external sources for body heat regulation.
2. Metabolic Heat: Animals generate heat internally as a byproduct of metabolism. The more active an animal is, the more heat it produces.
3. Eating and Drinking: Consuming food and water can also provide heat to the body. When an animal digests food, it releases energy in the form of heat.
4. Seeking Shelter: Animals can seek shelter in warm environments to reduce heat loss. For example, desert animals may burrow underground to stay cool, while Arctic animals may seek shelter in caves or dens to conserve heat.