Which mechanism limits body temperature depression in hibernating arctic ground squirrels during arousal?

💡 Explanation

As squirrels arouse from hibernation, countercurrent heat exchange minimizes energy expenditure because heat from arterial blood warms the returning venous blood, conserving heat and preventing excessive temperature loss. Therefore countercurrent exchange limits temperature drop, rather than vasodilation, shivering or glucagon which would either dissipate heat or be energetically expensive.

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