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Glite Dictionary
heterothermic

heterothermic

9.9
An animal, often a reptile or fish, whose body temperature changes with the surroundings
  • adjective
  • /ˌhɛtəroʊˈθɜrmɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : heterotérmico
  • Many reptiles are heterothermic and depend on external heat sources.

Examples

  • The study compared heterothermic fish to their homeothermic counterparts.

  • Is a frog heterothermic or endothermic?

  • Desert lizards display heterothermic behavior, adjusting their temperature by basking or seeking shade.

  • Many reptiles are heterothermic and rely on sunlight to regulate body warmth.

  • Desert lizards display heterothermic behavior, adjusting their temperature by basking in the sun or seeking shade.

  • Many reptiles are heterothermic and adjust their body temperature based on the environment around them.

  • The study compared heterothermic fish species, which change their body temperature with the water temperature.

Synonyms

cold-blooded
vsheterothermic
  • Specialized
5 3.7

An animal whose body temperature changes with the air or water temperature

omits explicit mention of internal regulation when noting variation
ectothermic
vsheterothermic
  • Specialized
1 9.1

Having a body temperature that changes with the surrounding air or water

focuses only on variation with environment not on regulation mechanism
poikilothermous
vsheterothermic
  • Specialized
9.9

Having a body temperature that changes with the environment, like cold-blooded animals

has identical meaning but differs only in form
poikilothermic
vsheterothermic
  • Specialized
9.9

Body temperature changes with the air or water around the animal

is limited to animals excluding birds and mammals

How Temperature-Stable

homeothermic
  • Specialized
9.8
heterothermic
  • Specialized
9.9
poikilothermic
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

heterothermic positive

Morphology

heterothermic = thermic (semi-transparent) = hetero + therm + ic

The word is analyzable as 'hetero-' (different) + 'thermic' (relating to heat), but both elements are technical combining forms that may be unfamiliar to average learners.

Etymology

Heterothermic comes from hetero- meaning 'different' and therm- meaning 'heat' or 'temperature', the same therm- you see in thermometer. So a heterothermic animal is one whose body temperature 'varies' with the outside temperature instead of staying the same.