BASAL METABOLISM OF THE BLACK-FOOTED FERRET (MUSTELA NIGRIPES) AND THE SIBERIAN POLECAT (M. EVERSMANNII)

• Published in: Journal of mammalogy Vol. 84; no. 2; pp. 497 - 504
• Main Authors: Harrington, Lauren A., Biggins, Dean E., Alldredge, A. William
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Provo, UT American Society of Mammalogists 01.05.2003; Brigham Young University, Department of Zoology; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Animal physiology; Animals; basal metabolic rate; Basal metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; black-footed ferret; Diet; FEATURE ARTICLES; Ferrets; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Intermediate and energetic metabolism; Mammals; Martens; Metabolism; Metabolisms and neurohumoral controls; Mustela; mustelid; Siberian polecat; Summer; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Wildcats; Winter; Zoology; Vertebrata; Climate; Mammalia; Seasonal variation; Interspecific comparison; Body size; Environmental factor; Basal metabolism; Allometry
• ISSN: 0022-2372; 1545-1542
• DOI: 10.1644/1545-1542%282003%29084%3C0497%3ABMOTBF%3E2.0.CO%3B2

Black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and Siberian polecats (M. eversmannii) are medium-sized (about 1 kg) mustelids with similar ecological and morphological characteristics. We measured basal metabolic rates (BMR) for both species. In contrast with the commonly stated belief that mustelids have relatively high mass-specific BMR, neither the BMR of ferrets nor that of polecats in winter was greater than standard allometric predictions for all mammals. As suggested by previous authors, we believe that our relatively lower measurements for BMR are due to our efforts to minimize stress during the experimental procedure. These results support the contention that BMR in mustelids is no different from what is expected of mammals of this body mass. Seasonal differences were found in polecat BMR (higher in summer) but not in ferret BMR. Reasons for this interspecific difference may relate to differences in natural histories of these species.