Ectotherm (Noun)
Meaning
An animal whose body temperature varies with the temperature of its surroundings; any animal except birds and mammals.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- Most reptiles are ectotherms, meaning they regulate their body temperature using external sources, such as the sun or a warm rock.
- Fish are ectotherms, which means their body temperature is the same as the surrounding water temperature.
- In contrast to endotherms, ectotherms like snakes and lizards bask in the warm sunlight to raise their body temperature.
- While humans are endotherms, meaning we regulate our own body temperature, turtles are ectotherms and rely on external sources of heat.
- Ectotherms, such as frogs and toads, often hibernate during the winter months to conserve energy and escape cold temperatures.