Warm-blooded animals (endotherms):
- Maintain a relatively constant internal body temperature, allowing them to be more active and less affected by changes in the external temperature.
- They produce internal heat through metabolic processes and have insulation, such as fur or feathers, to retain body heat.
- Examples include mammals (like humans), birds, and some fish species.
Cold-blooded animals (ectotherms):
- Rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature, relying largely on the environment.
- They absorb heat from their surroundings, such as the sun or warm surfaces, and become less active when the external temperature is low.
- Examples include reptiles (like lizards and snakes), amphibians (like frogs and salamanders), and most fish species.
Here's a summary table highlighting the key differences:
| Feature | Warm-blooded animals (endotherms) | Cold-blooded animals (ectotherms) |
|--------------- |-------------------------------------------- |----------------------------------------------- |
| Body temperature regulation | Internal regulation, produces own internal heat | External regulation, relies on external heat. |
| Metabolism | High, higher energy requirements | Low, more efficient energy utilisation |
| Activity level | Relatively high, can maintain activity in various temperatures | Variable, more dependent on external conditions |
| Insulation | Have fur, feathers, or other insulating structures | Usually lack significant insulation |
|Examples | Mammals, birds, some fish | Reptiles, amphibians, most fish |
Warm-blooded animals have evolved to sustain activity in changing environmental conditions, whereas cold-blooded animals are adapted to specific temperature ranges and become more vulnerable in extreme conditions.