homeothermic
Self-regulating body temperature
Homeothermic describes animals that maintain a constant internal body temperature regardless of their environment—warm-blooded creatures like mammals and birds.
A homeothermic animal generates heat through metabolism rather than relying on external sources: Homeothermic species can thrive in cold climates that would immobilize reptiles.
The opposite is poikilothermic or cold-blooded.
Maintaining stable internal heat
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
- body temperatureInternal heat level
- hypothalamusSubthalamic regulatory brain region
- basal metabolic rateMinimum energy for survival
shivering · sweating · vasodilation · vasoconstriction · thermogenesis · core temperature · fever response · piloerection
Hair-bearing, milk-producing animals
- birdsEgg-laying flying vertebrates
- vertebratesAnimals with internal skeletons
- furAnimal body hair
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
nesting · hibernation · torpor · brooding · incubation · parental care · diurnal · nocturnal
Thermal transfer prevention
- furAnimal body hair
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- blubberMarine mammal fat
- acclimatizationAdjusting to new conditions
huddling · seasonal changes · cold tolerance · heat tolerance · subcutaneous fat · down feathers · guard hairs
thermoregulation
Maintaining stable internal heat
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
- body temperatureInternal heat level
- hypothalamusSubthalamic regulatory brain region
basal metabolic rate · shivering · sweating · vasodilation · vasoconstriction · thermogenesis · core temperature · fever response · piloerection · panting
mammals
Hair-bearing, milk-producing animals
- birdsEgg-laying flying vertebrates
- vertebratesAnimals with internal skeletons
- furAnimal body hair
feathers · nesting · hibernation · torpor · brooding · incubation · parental care · diurnal · nocturnal · migration
insulation
Thermal transfer prevention
acclimatization · huddling · seasonal changes · cold tolerance · heat tolerance · subcutaneous fat · down feathers · guard hairs