Upper limits to body size (from left to right):

A groundbreaking study undertaken by researchers from the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Veterinary Science has revealed that the heart operates with declining energy efficiency as body size increases among mammals.

The 20-tonne extinct giant hornless rhino, Indricotherium, is one of the largest known land mammals to have existed; 70- to 100-tonne gigantic sauropods, such as Brachiosaurus, were the largest known animals to have walked the Earth; a very brave 60kg human for scale; the six-tonne African bush elephant is the largest land animal alive today. .

Researchers
  • Dr Edward Snelling
Dr Edward Snelling did his undergraduate studies at the University of Adelaide, Australia and joined the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science in February 2019.

His research is at the interface of experimental physiology, biomechanics and biochemistry. He uses models from Africa and Australia to study resting and locomotor energetics, respiratory and cardiovascular performance, muscle and skeletal systems, and thermoregulation in mammals, birds, fish, and insects. More information here -> www.edwardsnelling.com
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