TEMPERATURE, REGULATION AND ACTIVITY PATTERN OF THE ROUND-EARED ELEPHANT SHREW MACROSCELIDES PROBOSCIDEUS

1. Oxygen consumption (V-O2), thermal conductance (C), body temperatur e (T-b) and evaporative water loss (EWL) of Macroscelides proboscideus were measured at air temperatures from 5 to 38 degrees C. 2. The lowe st V-O2 was approximately that predicted for a eutherian of equal body weight. Minimal C was higher than predicted. EWL was high for an arid adapted small mammal. T(b)s were stable between 10 to 25 degrees C bu t increased above 30 degrees C. 3. Captive elephant shrew activity was predominantly nocturnal, although animals were active both day and ni ght. 4. Temperature regulation does not show the usual trends found in arid adapted small mammals.