Why are reptiles ectothermic?
Reptiles such as snakes, lizards, turtles and crocodiles are ectothermic, meaning they cannot produce their own body heat like mammals. The term “ectothermic” also means “cold-blooded” because the temperature of a reptile’s blood has an effect on its overall body temperature.Body TemperatureBody temperature is regulated by the food we eat. For some animals, food is widely available and is easily used as a source of fuel to maintain body temperature. For animals such as reptiles, however, food can be difficult to come by and cannot be relied on to burn for heat energy. Therefore, reptiles must find other ways to keep themselves warm.Heat SourcesMany reptiles lay on rocks or logs in the sun to absorb the heat, which is then turned into energy. They also may seek out warm areas elsewhere, such as in the home if they are escaped pets.AdvantagesCold-blooded animals require less food to function than warm-blooded animals. For example, snakes often eat only one large meal once per week. Some
