When an alligator lies motionless with its mouth agape on a sunny bank, what primary biological function is it performing?
Answer
Essential thermoregulation, using its mouth as a radiator.
Lying motionless with its mouth open on a sunny bank is a thermoregulation tactic where the alligator uses its mouth as a radiator to cool off while simultaneously absorbing heat through its dark skin.
Related Questions
To which biological Class do alligators immediately belong?Which order groups alligators with crocodiles, caimans, and gharials?What family designation sets alligators apart from the family housing true crocodiles?How is the snout of an alligator typically described morphologically compared to a crocodile's?What happens to an alligator's lower teeth when its jaw is closed?Which respiratory method confirms the alligator's classification as a reptile?When an alligator lies motionless with its mouth agape on a sunny bank, what primary biological function is it performing?What is the estimated lifespan of an American alligator in the wild?In what year was the American alligator reclassified from endangered status to threatened?The Order Crocodilia, which includes alligators, shares a deep evolutionary connection with which other modern group of creatures?Compared to many crocodile species, what is the typical habitat preference for alligators?