Knowra Ectotherm Ectotherm An ectotherm is an animal whose body temperature depends largely on environmental heat rather than internally generated metabolic heat. Its temperature can therefore vary with surrounding conditions.
Thermoregulation : The processes by which organisms maintain or adjust their body temperature. Ectotherms regulate temperature mainly through behavior and heat exchange with their surroundings.
Endotherm : An animal that generates enough metabolic heat to maintain its body temperature substantially above environmental temperature. Endotherms rely more on internally generated heat, unlike ectotherms.
Thermal performance curve : A relationship showing how an organism's performance changes across temperatures. Ectotherm performance often rises toward an optimum and falls at temperatures beyond it.
Lizards : A diverse group of reptiles, most of which rely largely on environmental heat to regulate body temperature. Many lizards combine basking and shade seeking to maintain suitable temperatures.
Behavioral thermoregulation : The adjustment of body temperature through behaviors such as basking, shade seeking, or changing posture. Moving between sun and shade lets ectotherms alter body temperature without producing much internal heat.
Poikilotherm : An animal whose body temperature varies considerably over time. Ectothermy describes a heat source; poikilothermy describes temperature variation, so the terms are not interchangeable.
Critical thermal maximum : A temperature threshold beyond which an animal can no longer maintain normal function during heating. This threshold helps quantify the upper heat limits of ectotherms.
Snakes : Legless reptiles whose body temperature generally depends on environmental heat. Snakes use posture, shelter, and movement among microhabitats to manage heat exchange.
Thermal conductance : The rate at which heat passes between an organism and its surroundings. Body size, shape, and coverings affect how quickly an ectotherm gains or loses environmental heat.
Homeotherm : An organism that maintains a relatively stable body temperature over time. Some ectotherms keep body temperature stable through behavior, showing that ectothermy does not require large fluctuations.
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