Nh. Markussen et al., THE EFFECT OF FEEDING ON THE METABOLIC-RATE IN HARBOR SEALS (PHOCA-VITULINA), Journal of comparative physiology. B, Biochemical, systemic, and environmental physiology, 164(2), 1994, pp. 89-93
The heat increment of feeding was estimated in harbour seals (Phoca vi
tulina). Seals were given different amounts of herring, ranging from 0
.8 to 2.65 kg. The caloric content of the herring ranged from 6575 to
12560 kJ.kg(-1) depending on time of year. Metabolic rate increased wi
thin 30 min after feeding, and the magnitude and duration of heat incr
ement of feeding depended on the size of the meal and the caloric cont
ent of the herring. Measured heat increment of feeding was up to 14.9%
of gross energy intake and metabolic rate increased as much as 46% ab
ove resting, postabsorptive metabolic rate for 15 h duration in a harb
our seal with a body weight of approximately 40 kg.