Pingie: HTTP:: Toucans Use Their Trademark Beaks for Heat Regulation

HTTP:: Toucans Use Their Trademark Beaks for Heat Regulation
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Scientists studying toucans came across a wondrous revelation recently, when they discovered that the birds sporting some of the most beautiful beaks in the world actually used them to regulate their bodily temperatures. Using infrared cameras and time-lapse videos of a sleeping toucan, the team comprised of Brazilian and Canadian researchers noted significant temperature variations in the beak over the hours, as it gradually became warmer or colder, depending on the core temperature. Until now, there existed a number of conflicted theories as to why the bird developed such an impressive front end. Charles Darwin was among the first to attempt an explanation, saying that it was most likely an ornament designed to help with the mating process. Other naturalists have proposed that the large beak could have evolved to allow the bird to rip the peel of fruits, while others believe it plays a role in visual warnings, or nest predation. The new investigation, conducted by scient!
ists from the Brock University, in Canada, and the Universidade Estadual Paulista, in Brazil, proposes a completely different explanation, and provides solid pieces of evidence to support it. “We used infrared thermal imaging technology to assess the surface temperature of the bill of toucans while they were encountering a...
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