Fur characteristics of the African ice rat Otomys sloggetti robertsi: Modifications for an alpine existence

The African ice rat Otomys sloggetti robertsi is a small rodent confined to cold, alpine habitats. It does not hibernate and is poorly adapted physiologically to low temperatures. We predicted and showed that its fur is denser than its congeners from warmer habitats, but it had shorter fur than expected. Dense fur would provide insulation and piloerection of short fur would facilitate heat gain from solar radiation during sun basking. These traits, in addition to other behavioural and morphological traits, would assist O. s. robertsi in meeting its thermoregulatory requirements in response to low temperatures.