Thermoregulation in Deer, Elk, and Pronghorn Antelope: The Structure of Hollow Hair and How It Helps in Winter Conditions

Thermoregulation in animals is an adaptation made to live through hot summers and cold winters. Big game animals such as: deer, elk, and pronghorn antelope have the adaptation more commonly known as a summer coat and a winter coat. We measured and compared an animal's winter coat and summer coat using a scanning electron microscope to show why an animal can survive outdoor temperatures. We used a scanning electron microscope to identify the different topography of the individual hair and focused on the thermodynamics of each individual hair.