Ectotherm
외온동물
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<speciesfyi-glossary slug="ectotherm"></speciesfyi-glossary>Definition
An organism that relies on external heat sources to regulate its body temperature, including most reptiles and amphibians.
Detailed Explanation
Ectotherms must behaviorally thermoregulate — basking in sun to warm up, seeking shade to cool down. This limits activity to favorable temperature windows and makes them vulnerable to extreme heat events. However, ectothermy requires much less energy than endothermy, allowing ectotherms to survive on a fraction of the food intake of equivalently sized mammals. Climate change is compressing the thermal activity windows of many reptiles, threatening population viability.