Here's a breakdown:
* Endotherms primarily rely on internal processes (like metabolism) to maintain a stable body temperature.
* Ectotherms rely primarily on external sources (like the sun) to regulate their temperature.
Heterotherms can shift between these strategies, often based on factors like:
* Time of day: Some animals are active and warm-blooded during the day, but conserve energy by becoming cold-blooded at night.
* Environmental conditions: In cold environments, some heterotherms can become torpid or hibernate to conserve energy.
* Activity level: High activity levels may require higher body temperatures, leading to an endothermic state.
Examples of heterotherms:
* Bats: Warm-blooded during flight, but become torpid when resting.
* Hummingbirds: Maintain high body temperatures during flight, but can drop their temperatures at night to conserve energy.
* Sharks: Some sharks can raise their body temperature above the surrounding water, especially in cold environments.
* Some reptiles: Certain reptiles, like the leatherback sea turtle, can maintain a warmer core temperature than their surroundings.
Key takeaways:
* Heterotherms are flexible in their temperature regulation.
* They can switch between endothermic and ectothermic strategies.
* This flexibility allows them to survive in a wide range of environments and adapt to different situations.