The aim of the present study was to evaluate water absorbing capacity and the drying and cooling rates of fur in farmbred male mink (Mustela vison) following 10 s of simulated diving. Comparisons were made between adult animals with summer and winter fur. The water loss from a swimming pool following diving in summer amounted to 146 (s.e. 14) g and 152 (s.e. 9) g in dry and wet mink, respectively (P > 0·05). During winter the corresponding values averaged 148 (s.e. 9) and 125 (s.e. 7) g, respectively (not significant: P > 0·05). No significant differences between summer and winter were found for dry mink. In wet-coated mink, on the other hand, water loss from the swimming pool was significantly greater (P 0·05) in summer than in winter. Drying of the fur was slow and significantly (P 0·05) affected by season so that half of the 100 g water absorbed by fur evaporated within 20 min during winter (at –2°C) whereas in summer (at +18°C) it took 60 min. A slower drying rate in summer could be benefical as it allows long-term body cooling in warm environment. Cooling constants of winter-coated dry mink (0·01955 (s.e. 0·00183) per min) were not significantly different (P > 0·05) from those of winter-coated wet mink (0·02091 (s.e. 0·00144) per min) indicating that energy costs of wet fur after diving are not critical for the survivial of the mink during winter.

This present study attempts to measure the energy cost of activities of women from the poor socio-economic group in India. Women in the age group of 18–40 years (n 98) either working for incomes or classified as homemakers were randomly selected. Time disposition studies were conducted by a 24 h observation of their activities on a typical day. Predominant activities were identified from the activity profiles and standardized for posture and duration. The BMR (Douglas bag method) and energy cost of the activities (Kofranyi–Michaelis meter) were measured by indirect calorimetry. The energy consumption during these activities ranged from 2·94–12·51 kJ/min. The tasks were divided into standard, household, childcare, occupational and other activities. Using the criteria, attempts were made to categorize the activities into light, moderate and heavy. It was significant that except for walking, the standard activities and occupational work could be classified into the light category (< 2·2 BMR). Most of the household and childcare activities except cooking were classified into the moderate to heavy (2·2–> 2·8 BMR). The energy expenditure of activities did not differ significantly between women with different occupations. This present study provides an important database on energy costs of activities for computing energy requirements of women involved in similar activity patterns.