To accommodate for their high surface to volume ratio, smaller mammals

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Smaller mammals have a high surface to volume ratio, which necessitates efficient gas exchange to meet their metabolic demands. To accommodate this, they adapt by reducing the size of each alveolus, increasing alveolar density, and increasing the density of capillaries used in gas exchange. These adaptations maximize the surface area available for gas exchange, ensuring that oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal are optimized to support their higher metabolic rates.

To Accommodate for Their High Surface to Volume Ratio, Smaller