endotherm
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of endotherm
Explanation
An endotherm is an animal, such as a bird or a mammal, that keeps its body at a stable temperature by generating heat internally. This allows a species like an emperor penguin to spend months on Antarctic winter ice. Food fuels an endotherm's metabolism, which produces heat. When temperatures drop, shivering can create extra warmth. Fur, feathers, and body fat help many animals keep that warmth close to the body. Keeping warm takes energy, so endotherms — including humans — usually need a steady supply of food. An endotherm's internal heat helps it stay active across a wider range of temperatures. The word endotherm comes from Greek words meaning "within" and "heat."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scientists expect endotherm animals -- animals that can regulate their own body temperature, like mammals -- to be able to protect themselves against fluctuating temperatures because they can maintain a constant body temperature.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 29, 2024
We believe changing environments in the deep past was a major contributor to the megalodon's extinction, as we think it could no longer meet the energetic demands of being a large regional endotherm.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 7, 2023
One disadvantage of being an endotherm is that it takes a lot of energy to keep your body temperature steady regardless of the environment.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 27, 2015
The advantage of ectothermy is that metabolic energy from food is not required to heat the body; therefore, reptiles can survive on about 10 percent of the calories required by a similarly sized endotherm.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
"Doesn't that suggest that there's an adaptive value in being either a good ectotherm or a good endotherm, but not in the middle?"
From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2014
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