Thermographic zebras!

OK this is a quick, fun-filled post before I get to my real post (which, of course, is also fun-filled but somehow different)

Earlier this week, I went with one of the vets out to the area where the dogs are roaded and imprinted.  He brought a thermographic camera with him to get some pictures and video. A thermographic camera shows the image in various colors that represent temperature. It's kind of like something you see in movies like "Predator" and other Arnold Schwarzenegger/Sylvester Stallone type deals. They've done some studies about temperature zones and the importance of being aware of them when working and training dogs.  Basically, we have to consider the temperature of the environment where the dog is working (close to the ground) not the temperature that the weather man tells us that it is (from some thermometer way up high off of the ground).  It's often much hotter close to the ground, and various things like tall grass or asphalt can increase the temperature even more.  Overheating is a major concern with working dogs of all kinds.

So while we were waiting for some dogs to come back from roading, he was telling me about all these studies that have been done with wild animals and thermographic imaging.  Apparently, when polar bears are filmed with these cameras, all you can differentiate is their eyes because they are so good at regulating their temperature to their surroundings. Kangaroos will dig down a few inches in the dirt, to where it can be more than 20 degrees cooler than the ground surface.  Then, the kangaroos will lick their forearms and the moisture from their saliva increases the heat that is released from the blood vessels underneath, and you can see that on a thermographic camera! Ok and last, but most definitely NOT least. Zebras. So there are two main reasons why zebras have black and white stripes. One is so that when they are in a herd, predators can differentiate an individual zebra, it just looks like a big heap of black and white stripes. The OTHER reason has to do with all things thermographic.  When there isn't a breeze out on the plains or wherever zebras hang out they are still able to keep cool. Do you know how? No?? Well I'm gonna tell you.  The heat difference between the areas of black fur and the areas of white fur actually CREATES A BREEZE! A little zebra sized personal breeze. Amazing, totally and utterly amazing.

Oh and FYI the main areas that dogs expel heat from (aka "thermal windows") are their eyes, nose, groin, and armpit area.

**This blog is dedicated to my brother Kris who, I am certain, will have a great appreciation for its title**