Question

Give scientific reasons.
Body temperature of reptiles in not constant. <!--td {border: 1px solid #ccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}--> [Textbook Question No.6e Pg no. 75]

Answer 1

• Reptiles are cold-blooded animals and are also regarded as poikilotherms.
• Reptiles fail to regulate their internal body temperature according to the required level, therefore they keep on changing their temperature according to the changes in external environment temperature i.e. the body temperature changes along with the changing temperature of the external environment.
• This particular strategy helps reptiles to conserve their energy in cold and can rapidly increase their body temperature in the heat.
• Reptiles such as snakes and lizards have the ability to cool down as well as warm-up their body very easily.
• During winter, the lizard shows behavioral adaptations where it sits on a rock to soak in the sunlight whereas during summer, it goes under a shade to protect itself from the harsh environment.