Australian Ectotherms & Endotherms

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Australian Ectotherms & Endotherms

What are Ectotherms and endotherms?

Most animals are Ectotherms. Ectotherms are animals that cannot maintain a constant body temperature which means that their metabolism rates are affected by the exterior temperature of the environment. Endotherms are animals that can maintain a constant body temperature. So, this means that endotherms can control the rate of heat exchange by: panting; sweating; by using their physical characteristics-fur, hair, feathers or body fat for insulation; or by migration, burrowing, etc (which relates to the numerous behavioural characteristics used by these animals to control heat exchange). Most mammals and birds are endotherms.

Examples of ectotherms

Desert Lizard (from central Australia):

Desert lizards regulate their body temperatures by trying to burrow or seek shelter under rocks when trying to avoid high temperatures. Some desert lizards can alter the colour on their back in order to reflect heat or to absorb heat. A light colour helps them to reflect the heat, whereas the darker colours help them absorb heat. Another way for desert lizards to gain heat is by lying about in the sun in the mornings.

So basically, desert lizards adapt to the