Hísigní - Thermoregulating System
The Hísigní don’t possess the ability to sweat and cool off their bodies, but they have a completely different system that controls body temperature. This system relies on both internal and external temperatures and water control/intake. They aren’t cold blooded creatures, yet they aren’t completely warm-blooded either, not to an Earthly standard anyway. Humans body temperature tends to be around 37C, while the Hísigní cap out at around 27-30C and the rest relies on external heat. Though not to be confused with how humanity feels external heat and cold, these creatures can withstand lower outside temperatures a little easier thanks to their densely packed muscle, mass, and thick exo-skin. However, intense external heat can become tricky to regulate depending on the subtype of the Hísigní.
Located mainly on the thorax as small ventral slits leading directly into the thermoregulating internal structures and system. In the center of the thorax there are two main vents which are larger with open spots that are responsible for external heat detection. These vents have connected slits that become narrower alongside the ribcage and arm, and are situated between overlapping exo-plates. The vents are fleshy structures with no protection to them and are quite porous. Which is a large weakness point. While the minimum amount of vents is 2, the regular amount is 4 stretching from both the thorax and arms.
From the furthest point of the vents there stretch out the fans.
These fans are feathery-like structures leading through and out the vents. These are directly responsible for thermoregulation and the water distribution system. They can retract or flare out depending on the external temperature.
These structures look similar to feathers yet are smaller and much denser. The ‘quill’ is filled with water and the barbs act as smaller veins passing water from quill to quill while simultaneously interlocking their barbules together to stay attached. The outer side of the barbules have small pores responsible for pheromone secretion and ensuring the fans don’t completely dry out. The texture of the fans can be described as stiffer yet slick, unlike the fluffiness of down feathers which the fans resemble, and have a waxy feel to them. The fans are also more sensitive than a feather, as they contain nerves throughout.
These fans need to be kept clean and orderly, which the waxy secretions help with, but fraying is common with too-tight clothes or synthetic materials, which can lead to infection and problems thermoregulating from damage between the barbules.
The fans flare out during hot weather, and retract during cold. This works similarly to humans, where keeping water outside of the body will help releasing heat, and holding the water inside the body will keep a constant temperature.
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