Altered thermoregulation in the iguana disposaurus dorsalis following exercise

1. 1.|Seven desert iguanas ran on a motorized treadmill for 20-min periods. Before, during and after exercise, the iguanas were in a thermal gradient which allowed them to thermoregulate behaviourally. 2. 2.|For several hours following exercise, the iguanas selected warmer ambient temperatures, resulting in small, but statistically significant, increases in body temperature. 3. 3.|The increases in temperature were proportional to the exercise intensity. 4. 4.|These changes were not observed if exercised was preceded by administration of the antipyretic drug, sodium salicylate. 5. 5.|These data support the hypothesis that exercise causes a change in central thermoregulatory control which may be similar to fever caused by infection.