How effective is the wolf's dense winter coat in extreme cold regarding ice buildup?
Answer
It prevents warm breath condensation from causing ice buildup
The insulation provided by the dense, fluffy winter coat is exceptionally effective, enabling wolves to rest in open areas even when temperatures plummet to as low as -40 degrees Celsius. A remarkable property of this thick fur is its ability to manage the moisture generated by the animal’s own body heat. The insulation is so efficient that warm breath condensing upon contact with the outer fur layer does not lead to the formation of ice buildup, a phenomenon that can sometimes plague the fur of domestic dogs in similar extreme conditions.
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