Biologic Consideration of the Adaptive Variation in Amounts of
Energy Stored in Various Animals
Energy is appropriated from the physical forces of nature
that constitute the environment. This energy is stored in
the body in quantities in excess of the needs of the moment.
In some animals this excess storage is greater than in other
animals. Those animals whose self-preservation is dependent
on purely mechanical or chemical means of
defense—such animals as crustaceans, porcupines, skunks or
cobras—have a relatively small amount of convertible (adaptive)
energy stored in their bodies. On the contrary, the more
an animal is dependent on its muscular activity for
self-preservation, the more surplus available (adaptive) energy
there is stored in its body. It may be true that all animals
have approximately an equal amount per kilo of chemical
energy—but certainly they have not an equal amount stored
in a form which is available for immediate conversion for
adaptive ends.
