Definition

A type of animal that cannot control its body temperature internally and relies on the environment to stay warm or cool.

Example

Lizards are ectotherms, so they often bask in the sun to raise their body temperature.

Conversation

Did you know that a turtle is an ectotherm?

Really? I didn't know that!

Yeah, it means they rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature.

That makes sense; I've noticed they bask in the sun to warm up.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ectotherm → It is formed from "ecto-" (from Greek "ektos", meaning outside) and "therm" (from Greek "thermos", meaning heat). The word describes an organism that relies on external sources to regulate its body temperature, hence, an organism that is heated from the outside.

Memory Tip

Think of 'outside' ('ecto-') and 'heat' ('therm') to remember that an ectotherm is an organism that gets its heat from the outside.

Visually Confused Words