Heat Loss by Conduction OccursWhen the Body Is in Contact with a Cooler Surface

Because animals usually do not lie on cool surfaces for long periods, conduction is not usually a major form of heat loss. In some situations, however, conductive heat loss can lead to hypothermia. A cold, stainless steel surgery table can form a heat sink for a small, anesthetized bird or mammal. Insulation or a heat source should be provided for such animals. Simi­larly, newborn piglets can lose much heat by lying on a cold concrete floor. Adult pigs cool themselves by conduction when they wallow in cool mud puddles.