adjective
- of or relating to an animal whose body temperature varies with the temperature of its environment; cold-blooded
Usage: biology; also spelled poikilothermal
Examples
- Reptiles are poikilothermic animals that rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature.
- Fish are poikilothermic, so their metabolism slows down in cold water.
- Unlike mammals, poikilothermic creatures cannot maintain a constant internal body temperature.
- Amphibians are poikilothermic and must bask in the sun to warm up.
- The poikilothermic nature of snakes means they are more active in warm climates.
- Scientists study poikilothermic organisms to understand how temperature affects animal physiology.