Endotherms
An
endotherm is an animal that derives most of its body heat from its own metabolism. Mammals are endotherms.
Advantages
and disadvantages to endothermy:
•Endotherms can regulate body temperature which allows
them to live in cold
environments were ectotherms cannot.
•Endotherms can sustain a high metabolic rate even at low temperature if food is available.
•Endotherms require more energy than a similar size
ectotherm.
•To stay cool endotherms generally lose heat through
evaporation (ie. Sweating, or
panting).