coldbloods
Cold-blooded is a common, informal term for animals that rely largely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. In biology, these animals are described as ectothermic. Major groups include reptiles (such as snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians), amphibians (frogs and salamanders), fishes, and many invertebrates (including insects, mollusks, and crustaceans). The label is useful in everyday language but is imprecise; true endothermy, the ability to maintain a stable internal temperature through metabolic heat, is uncommon in these groups.
Body temperature in cold-blooded animals generally tracks the surrounding environment. Metabolic rate tends to rise with
Ecologically, cold-blooded animals inhabit a wide range of environments, from deserts to tropical forests and oceans.
Terminology note: while widely used, the term "cold-blooded" is informal. Scientists prefer ectotherm or poikilotherm, reflecting