(へんおんどうぶつ)

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

Compound of (へん) (changing) + (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:

  • 変温動物(へんおんどうぶつ)体温(たいおん): a cold-blooded animal's body temperature
  • 変温動物(へんおんどうぶつ)特徴(とくちょう): characteristics of cold-blooded animals

SIMILAR / CONTRASTING 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