What are cold-blooded animals?

Cold-blooded animals, scientifically known as ectotherms or poikilotherms, are organisms that do not use internal metabolic processes to maintain a constant body temperature [2]. Instead, their body temperature varies according to the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere or environment [3]. Unlike warm-blooded animals (homeotherms) like birds and mammals that maintain thermal homeostasis, cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians, and fish rely on external heat sources like sunlight or warm surfaces to regulate their internal state [1]. Consequently, their body temperature changes to match their surroundings, often requiring behavioral adaptations like basking in the sun or seeking shade to achieve thermal balance [2]. This lack of internal regulation means their metabolic rate is generally lower, allowing them to survive longer without food compared to endotherms [2].

Sources

1. [1] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 29: Environment Issues and Health Effects > 29.3.4. Greeenwashing > p. 419
2. [2] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 9: Indian Biodiversity Diverse Landscape > Do vou know? > p. 158
3. [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Oxygen enters the blood in the lungs > p. 92