Computer
Effects of Insulation on
on Animal Temperature
21
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Sheep, cattle, and other livestock have techniques to protect themselves against changes in
temperature. Most animals have a hide or fleece to provide warmth and protection against cold
and wet conditions. In summer animals sweat to increase heat loss through evaporation and may
seek out natural shade sources such as trees or stay close to water.
Animal producers and owners also have many ways of managing animals to provide proper care
and shelter. Barns and shelters can protect animals from cold, rain, and snow in the winter. Barns
can also provide shade in hot summer months. Sometimes, animal producers will use misting
systems to help cool animals.
Sheep producers are able to shear their animals to help regulate body temperature. Does it make
sense to shear a sheep right before winter? In this activity you will explore the effect of
insulation on maintaining body temperature.
In this experiment, you will
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OBJECTIVES
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MATERIALS
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 Analyze temperature changes over time.
 Simulate winter conditions on sheared and non-sheared “sheep.”
 Consider how environmental factors influence animal well-being.
non-insulated cup
large plastic container
warm water
ice water
al
computer
Vernier computer interface
Logger Pro
2 Temperature Probes
insulated cup
PROCEDURE
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1. Connect the Temperature Probes to the computer interface. Prepare the computer for data
collection by opening the file “21 Animal Temperature” from the Agricultural Science with
Vernier folder of Logger Pro.
2. Put some ice water in the large container. The depth of the water should be about equal to the
depth of the water that will be in your cups.
3. Put equal amounts of warm water in both the insulated and the non-insulated cups. These are
your sheep. Place one temperature probe into the insulated cup and the other in the noninsulated cup. Make sure the tips of the probes are NOT touching the sides or the bottoms of
the cups!
4. Before you start data collection, allow the probes to adjust to the temperature of the water.
Agricultural Science with Vernier
21 - 1
Computer 21
5. While one team member is stirring the water with the probes (without hitting the sides!),
another person can start data collection by clicking
. After data have been collected
for 30 seconds, the person holding the cups should lower them into the ice water. Important:
Keep stirring until data collection is complete.
6. Print or sketch your graph as directed. Label the data for the different cups.
DATA TABLE
Non-insulated cup
Insulated cup
Initial temperature (°C)
Final temperature (°C)
Change in temperature (°C)
QUESTIONS
1. What does the insulation represent in this experiment?
2. What physiological system does the stirring represent?
3. Describe the results you see in the graph. Explain the difference, if any, between data from
the two cups.
4. Explain how this experiment relates to the timing of sheep shearing.
5. This experiment models wintertime conditions. What are challenges for animals in the
summer? How do they overcome these challenges? How does a farmer or rancher help the
animals overcome these challenges?
EXTENSIONS
1. Perform an experiment that would model summertime conditions.
2. Conduct a research project to find out more about the effects of the environment on animals
and how animals maintain constant body temperatures. Design an experiment to test the
effect of other environmental factors on animal health.
21 - 2
Agricultural Science with Vernier
Vernier Lab Safety Instructions Disclaimer
THIS IS AN EVALUATION COPY OF THE VERNIER STUDENT LAB.
This copy does not include:
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Safety information
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Essential instructor background information
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Directions for preparing solutions
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Important tips for successfully doing these labs
The complete Agricultural Science with Vernier lab manual includes 29 labs and essential
teacher information. The full lab book is available for purchase at:
http://www.vernier.com/cmat/awv.html
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