Temperature alone is insufficient to understand hibernation energetics

ABSTRACT Energy conservation has long been a focal point in hibernation research. A long-standing assumption is that ambient temperature (Ta) largely defines the rate of energy expenditure because well-known relationships between Ta, metabolic and frequency arousal from torpor. Body condition humidity also affect but are usually considered secondary factors. We held tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) captivity under multiple environmental conditions to directly compare importance fat mass for expenditure. Fat was best predictor female loss, followed by Ta humidity. However, males had less adopted more energetically conservative strategy. Our results demonstrate understanding evolution behavior, physiology ecology requires disentangling relative contributions drivers energetics, not always most important factor driving