ectothermic
Sun-dependent body temperature
Ectothermic describes animals that regulate body temperature primarily through external sources rather than internal metabolism.
Reptiles, amphibians, and fish are ectothermic—they bask in sunlight to warm up or seek shade to cool down.
The older term cold-blooded is less accurate, since ectothermic animals can have warm blood when their environment is warm.
Four-legged scaled reptile
- snakeLimbless scaled reptile
- turtleShell-encased reptile
- crocodileLarge semiaquatic tropical reptile
- alligatorLarge American swamp reptile
gecko · iguana · chameleon · tortoise · python · cobra · viper · rattlesnake
Maintaining stable internal heat
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
- acclimatizationAdjusting to new conditions
- cold toleranceResistance to low temperatures
- heat exchangeEnergy flow between temperatures
torpor · ambient temperature · basking · vasoconstriction · vasodilation · energy conservation · bioenergetics · homeostasis
Aquatic respiratory organs
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- finsSwimming appendages
- aquaticWater-inhabiting
- marineRelating to the sea
freshwater · spawn · schooling · migration · ichthyology · benthic · pelagic · planktonic
Tailless leaping amphibian
- salamanderTailed, moist-skinned amphibian
- toadWarty terrestrial amphibian
- newtSmall aquatic salamander
- axolotlPermanently larval salamander
tadpole · metamorphosis · herpetology · wetlands · gills · larvae · marshes · bogs
lizard
Four-legged scaled reptile
alligator · gecko · iguana · chameleon · tortoise · python · cobra · viper · rattlesnake · terrapin
thermoregulation
Maintaining stable internal heat
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
- acclimatizationAdjusting to new conditions
- cold toleranceResistance to low temperatures
heat exchange · torpor · ambient temperature · basking · vasoconstriction · vasodilation · energy conservation · bioenergetics · homeostasis
gills
Aquatic respiratory organs
marine · freshwater · spawn · schooling · migration · ichthyology · benthic · pelagic · planktonic · reef
frog
Tailless leaping amphibian
- salamanderTailed, moist-skinned amphibian
- toadWarty terrestrial amphibian
- newtSmall aquatic salamander
axolotl · tadpole · metamorphosis · herpetology · wetlands · gills · larvae · marshes · bogs · tree frog
insects
Six-legged arthropods
- arachnidsEight-legged invertebrates
- crustaceansExoskeleton-bearing aquatic arthropods
- mollusksSoft-bodied invertebrates, often shelled
exoskeleton · arthropod · beetle · spider · crab · lobster · snail · octopus · butterfly · dragonfly