poikilotherm

9.9

An animal whose body heat changes with the air or water temperature like fish and reptiles

noun
/ˈpɔɪkɪlɵˌθɜrm/

Specialized

: poiquilotermo

A poikilotherm cannot regulate its body temperature.

Examples

Frogs are classic examples of poikilotherms, adjusting their activity depending on the weather.
The aquarium featured several species of poikilotherms, including fish and reptiles.
Unlike mammals, poikilotherms cannot regulate their internal temperatures when it gets cold.
Many reptiles are classified as poikilotherms.
Frogs are classic examples of poikilotherms, adjusting their activity depending on the temperature of their environment.
The aquarium displayed various poikilotherms, such as fish and reptiles, that thrive in different aquatic habitats.
Unlike birds and mammals, poikilotherms experience fluctuations in body temperature based on the surrounding climate.

Synonyms

ectotherm

vspoikilotherm

Specialized

1 8.7

An animal whose body temperature changes with the temperature around it

is the same but notes typical exclusion of birds and mammals

Antonyms

endotherm

Specialized

1 6.7

An animal that keeps its body warm by making heat inside its body

How Constant

homoiotherm

Specialized

9.9

heterothermic

Specialized

9.9

poikilotherm

Specialized

9.9

Surface Forms

poikilotherm singular

poikilotherms plural

Morphology

poikilotherm = therm (semi-transparent) = poikilo + therm

Built from the combining prefix 'poikilo-' (variable) + 'therm' (heat); the components match the sense but are specialist Greek forms not familiar to average learners.

Etymology

Poikilotherm comes from Greek parts: poikilo- meaning 'varied' and -therm meaning 'heat', the same root you see in thermometer. So a poikilotherm is an animal with 'variable heat' — its body temperature changes with the air or water around it, unlike mammals and birds that keep a steady temperature.