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Why doesn't a bunny die at 10 F?

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No Lifer
I am a large human. If I put on a pair of pants and sweater and go out when it's 10F it starts sucking within about 5 seconds. Within 5 minutes I imagine I'd be a shivering wreck. However, there is a bunny by our house that has endured temps like this, we even had it lower with a wind chill. Bunnies are small, they have a thin layer of fur, and are warm blooded. It's not like there's much food around here, so how can a warm blooded creature that has so little body mass not freeze to death? I saw a squirrel today honking down a berry and damn aren't these things supposed to hibernate or something? It is no-joke-cold out there, I want somebody to explain how a small-massed warm-blooded creature with very little insulation can tolerate temps like this.
 
I see squirrels and rabbits in the winter all the time.

They have fur and a fat layer and they eat all the time.
 
I think it has to do with their higher metabolism. They build up a layer of fat during the summer and then they burn through it more quickly to generate heat/energy
 
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
I see squirrels and rabbits in the winter all the time.

They have fur and a fat layer and they eat all the time.
Click to expand...
So do I, but the cold still freezes me!

It probably is metabolism, though, they must just burn a bunch of energy to stay warm.
 
10F is not really that cold. I'm usually outside in tshirt shoveling snow at that temp. Start off with a coat but after shoveling 1/4 of the driveway the coat is off.

Squirrels and I assume bunnies have been known to live normally outside in temps of like -30C which is about -22F. Their fur helps a lot. In the cold what kills us humans the most is windchill, but a furry animal is not affected as much due to their fur.

Though sometimes I wonder about my cat. She sleeps in her little house thing that's on top of the heater. It must be like +35 in there LOL. Cats tend to really hate the cold.
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
I see squirrels and rabbits in the winter all the time.

They have fur and a fat layer and they eat all the time.
Click to expand...
So do I, but the cold still freezes me!

It probably is metabolism, though, they must just burn a bunch of energy to stay warm.
Click to expand...
true.

and yes.

Rabbits also live in Northern Ontario and NWT where -30°C is the high. They are designed for this environment.
 
Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
10F is not really that cold. I'm usually outside in tshirt shoveling snow at that temp. Start off with a coat but after shoveling 1/4 of the driveway the coat is off.

Squirrels and I assume bunnies have been known to live normally outside in temps of like -30C which is about -22F. Their fur helps a lot. In the cold what kills us humans the most is windchill, but a furry animal is not affected as much due to their fur.

Though sometimes I wonder about my cat. She sleeps in her little house thing that's on top of the heater. It must be like +35 in there LOL. Cats tend to really hate the cold.
Click to expand...
If you are in a t-shirt in 10F, even while shoveling, something is wrong with your internal thermostat, honestly!! 🙂

 
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: Iron Woode
I see squirrels and rabbits in the winter all the time.

They have fur and a fat layer and they eat all the time.
Click to expand...
So do I, but the cold still freezes me!

It probably is metabolism, though, they must just burn a bunch of energy to stay warm.
Click to expand...
true.

and yes.

Rabbits also live in Northern Ontario and NWT where -30°C is the high. They evolved slowly into a form that is better suited for this environment.
Click to expand...

Fixed for more correct scientific terminology and my own personal amusement. 😀
 
Originally posted by: brxndxn
Man.. I'm so glad I live in Florida.. Seriously.. anyone that doesn't live here is retarded.
Click to expand...

Yeah dude, especially those fuckin bushmen. What a bunch of idiots. 😛
 
Originally posted by: Skoorb
Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
10F is not really that cold. I'm usually outside in tshirt shoveling snow at that temp. Start off with a coat but after shoveling 1/4 of the driveway the coat is off.

Squirrels and I assume bunnies have been known to live normally outside in temps of like -30C which is about -22F. Their fur helps a lot. In the cold what kills us humans the most is windchill, but a furry animal is not affected as much due to their fur.

Though sometimes I wonder about my cat. She sleeps in her little house thing that's on top of the heater. It must be like +35 in there LOL. Cats tend to really hate the cold.
Click to expand...
If you are in a t-shirt in 10F, even while shoveling, something is wrong with your internal thermostat, honestly!! 🙂
Click to expand...

Nah physical activity makes me sweat easily so it does not take time for me to have to take my coat off. I tend to keep my mitts on though since the metal bar of the scoop gets a cold.

When I go workout after I'm done I walk out of the gym still in shorts and tshirt (with coat on since I already have my gym bag to carry). I'm not cold at all when I do this even in -30. But by the time I drive home I get in the house rather fast. 😛
 
Originally posted by: brxndxn
Man.. I'm so glad I live in Florida.. Seriously.. anyone that doesn't live here is retarded.
Click to expand...

I'll keep my snow, you keep your hurricanes.

The snow does not destroy my house every year. 😛
 
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