Ectotherms

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  • Ectotherms
    • An organism that relies on external sources of heat to regulate its body temperature
      • Body temperature fluxuates with air temperature
    • Advantages of being an ectotherm
      • Use  less food in respiration
      • Can go longer without food
      • Greater proportion of energy from food can be used for growth
    • Disadvantages of being an ectotherm
      • Need to warm up before becoming active increasing risk of predation
      • Not always capable of activity in winter
        • Need sufficient stores over winter without eating
    • Ectothermic adaptions
      • Exposing body to the sun
      • Orientating body to or from the sun
      • Hide in burrow
      • Alter body shape
      • Increase breathing movements

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