This countercurrent heat exchange helps whales to conserve body heat. When a whale dives, blood is shunted away from the body surface. This decrease in circulation conserves body heat as well. During prolonged exercise or in warm water, a killer whale may need to dissipate body heat. In this case, circulation increases to arteries near the surface of the flippers, flukes, and dorsal fin, and deceases to arteries providing blood to the body core.
Excess heat is shed to the external environment.
All Rights Reserved.