When you see reptiles or amphibians basking motionless on warm rocks, they aren’t “being lazy”—they’re regulating body temperature. These are cold-blooded animals in everyday language; in biology we call them ectotherms: creatures that cannot keep a stable body temperature using metabolism alon...
Table of ContentsIntroduction to Cold-Blooded and Warm-Blooded AnimalsWhat Are Cold-Blooded Animals?Key CharacteristicsExamples of Cold-Blooded AnimalsWhat Are Warm-Blooded Animals?Key CharacteristicsExamples of Warm-Blooded AnimalsCold-Blooded vs Warm-Blooded: Key DifferencesBody Temperature Regula...
Cold-blooded animals, also called ectotherms, are those animals that do not have an internal temperature regulation system. In addition to mammals and birds, almost all cold-blooded animals on the earth are diverse and widely distributed. Common ones include fish, frogs, snakes, turtles, shel...