Ventilatory frequency was recorded in unrestrained mice and hamsters using microwave radiation. The microwave exposure system was also used to impart varying heat loads to the rodents at ambient temperatures of 10, 20 and 30 C. The absorbed heat load accrued from microwave exposure was measured as the time-averaged rate of energy absorption per unit body weight or specific absorption rate (SAR, W/kg). In both species there was an inverse relationship between ambient temperature (Ta) and threshold SAR to invoke an increase in ventilatory frequency. However, the threshold SAR's for mice were 270 to 450% higher than for hamsters depending on Ta. Above threshold SAR the increase in ventilatory frequency per unit elevation in SAR increased directly with Ta in mice but not with hamsters. On the basis of rate absorbed energy normalized to body weight (i.e., W/kg), mice can tolerate much more heat from microwave exposure than hamsters. The differences in sensitivity to microwave exposure in the mouse and hamster are probably attributable to species-specific characteristics, and especially differences in body mass and, consequently, passive heat loss.