poikilothermous
- adjective
- /ˌpɔɪkɪləˈθɜrməs/
- Specialized
:
poiquilotérmico
- Reptiles such as snakes are poikilothermous and depend on sunlight to regulate their body heat.
Examples
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Because it is poikilothermous, the frog becomes sluggish in cooler weather.
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Amphibians are typically poikilothermous, which means their internal temperature fluctuates with their surroundings.
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A poikilothermous animal's body temperature changes with the environment.
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Fish are typically poikilothermous creatures.
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Amphibians are typically poikilothermous, meaning their internal temperature fluctuates with the surrounding environment.
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Because it is poikilothermous, the frog becomes sluggish in cooler weather.
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Reptiles such as snakes are poikilothermous and rely on external sources to regulate their body heat.
Synonyms
5
3.7
An animal whose body temperature changes with the air or water temperature
1
9.1
Having a body temperature that changes with the surrounding air or water
Body temperature changes with the air or water around the animal
An animal, often a reptile or fish, whose body temperature changes with the surroundings
Surface Forms
Morphology
poikilothermous = poikilotherm (opaque) = poikilo + therm + ous
The term 'poikilothermous' is opaque due to the specialized scientific prefix 'poikilo', which is not commonly known.
Etymology
Poikilothermous comes from the Greek parts poikilo- meaning 'varied' and thermo- meaning 'heat', the same 'therm' you see in thermometer and thermal. So a poikilothermous animal has a body temperature that changes with its surroundings, which is why frogs and snakes move more slowly when it is cool.