変温動物(へんおんどうぶつ)

へんおんどうぶつ
noun
cold-blooded animal; poikilotherm; ectotherm
academicanimal-generalscience
1. cold-blooded animal; poikilotherm; ectotherm
An animal whose body temperature varies with the surrounding environment, such as reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
蛇(へび)は変温動物(へんおんどうぶつ)だ。
Snakes are cold-blooded animals.
変温動物(へんおんどうぶつ)は気温(きおん)に合(あ)わせて体温(たいおん)が変(か)わる。
A cold-blooded animal's body temperature changes with the air temperature.
冬(ふゆ)になると、多(おお)くの変温動物(へんおんどうぶつ)は冬眠(とうみん)や活動低下(かつどうていか)に入(はい)る。
When winter comes, many cold-blooded animals enter hibernation or reduced activity.

Compound of 変(へん) (changing) + 温(おん) (temperature) + 動物(どうぶつ) (animal). A biology term contrasted with 恒温動物(こうおんどうぶつ) (warm-blooded animal).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 恒温動物(こうおんどうぶつ): warm-blooded animal — maintains constant body temperature internally (mammals, birds)
  • 冷血(れいけつ)動物(どうぶつ): older, less scientific term for cold-blooded animals; can also be used figuratively for a callous person
general
Added 2026.6.4 12:09 · Revised 2026.10.7 3:23
28500/28701_henondoubutsu