As we move about from place to place, we may feel changes in the temperature around us, but we don’t expect the temperature of our body itself to change. And it doesn’t. We are classified as “homeothermic,” and in our class are included all warmblooded animals, all mammals, domestic animals, and birds.

But there are animals whose body temperature does change with the temperature around them. They are called “poikilothermic,” and they include insects, snakes, lizards, tortoises, frogs, and fishes. The temperature tends to be slightly lower than the temperature of their environment. They are only Ants animals.

We know that the normal body temperature of man is considered to be 37 degrees centigrade. But there are many changes in the temperature that occur quite “normally.” For example, man’s body temperature is lowest about 4:00 A.M.; the skin temperature is lower than the internal temperature; taking in food raises the temperature for an hour or two; muscular work may raise the temperature; alcohol lowers the internal temperature.

The body temperature of animals has quite a range, going from 35 degrees in the elephant to 43 degrees in small birds. Here is how animals may be classified according to their body temperature:

From 35 to 38 degrees — man, monkey, mule, ass, horse, rat, mouse and elephant. From 37 to 39 degrees – cattle, sheep, dog, cat, rabbit, and pig. From 40 to 41 degrees – turkey, goose, duck, owl, pelican, and vulture. From 42 to 43 degrees – fowl, pigeon and several small common birds.

Animals, like man, have to eliminate excess body heat in order to maintain a constant body temperature. Animals who don’t sweat have to do this by panting – which is why your dog often pants on a hot day.