Thermotaxis is the regulation of heat in warm-blooded animals.
When it's hot, I like to cool down in the sea. Does that make me thermotaxic? I'm not a good swimmer, but in the UK that doesn't matter as the sea is generally so cold that a quick paddle is more than enough to do the job.
A thermotactic reaction is movement in a living organism as a response to temperature. If you watch a litter of puppies or piglets, you'll see that if it's warm they spread out more. When the temperature drops, they snuggle up together.
Ah - so they're not warm cabs?
ReplyDeleteDarn it - why didn't I think of that?
DeleteThose dogs would be confused with our temperatures, which are going up and down like a yo-yo right now.
ReplyDeleteThere seems to be a lot of unsettled weather generally, Alex.
DeleteYou need to visit our Gulf Coast...water is in the 80s in the summer.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds very pleasant.
DeleteDon't think I've come across that word, patsy, but I do love swimming in the sea!
ReplyDeleteCan't blame you, Scotland has such lovely beaches and clear looking water.
DeleteInteresting as always Patsy.
ReplyDeleteHi Patsy - sensible piggies or puppies ... interesting word though - Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteAnimals often are sensible, given the choice.
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