Ectothermic animals, also known as "cold-blooded" animals, don't regulate their body temperature internally. They rely on external sources of heat like the sun or warm rocks. This means they require less food than endothermic (warm-blooded) animals. Here's why:
* Lower metabolic rate: Ectotherms have a much slower metabolism than endotherms. Their bodies don't need to constantly burn energy to maintain a stable internal temperature. This means they require less food to fuel their bodily functions.
* Energy conservation: Since they don't need to generate their own heat, ectotherms can conserve a lot of energy. They can survive for longer periods without food and are often more efficient at converting food into energy.
Examples of ectotherms:
* Reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles)
* Amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders)
* Fish
* Invertebrates (insects, spiders)
Key takeaways:
* Ectotherms rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature.
* This lower metabolic rate means they require less food than endotherms.
* They can survive for longer periods without food and are more efficient at using energy from food.