Maximum metabolic rate is a physiological limit that is important for animals′ survival, reproduction and geographic distribution. Cold-induced maximum metabolic rate and locomotion maximum metabolic rate were measured in a rodent species, Eothenomys miletus, which distributed in Hengduan mountains region, in summer and winter by using the open-circuit system respirometer. Cold-induced maximum metabolic rate and locomotion maximum metabolic rate were (724±0.61)ml/(g?h) and (7.69±0.59)ml/(g?h) in summer, and (8.61±0.42)ml/(g?h) and (7.51±0.51)ml/(g?h) in winter, respectively. Cold-induced maximum metabolic rate is higher in winter than that in summer, while locomotion maximum metabolic rate kept relative stable. Our data indicated that seasonal fluctuations in ambient temperatures in Hengduan mountains region might be the main force to lead the seasonal variations in cold-induced maximum metabolic rate while the locomotion maximum metabolic rate is relative stable.