Are All Reptiles Warm Blooded?
Are All Reptiles Warm Blooded Reptiles are cold-blooded animals meaning they cannot regulate their own body temperature. That said, the answer to the question whether all reptiles are warm blooded is definitely ‘no’.
Given their cold-blooded nature, reptiles rely on their external environment to regulate their body temperature. They seek out warm spots when they’re cold and shaded spots when they’re hot. So, in general, reptiles cannot warm their own body above the temperature of the habitat.
Types of Reptiles
There are three main types of reptiles:
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- Crocodilians
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- Turtles
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- Squamata (including lizards, snakes and amphisbaenids)
Each of these reptile types has unique characteristics.
Crocodilians
Crocodilians are not warm-blooded. They are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature is dependent on external influences such as their environment or the length of exposure to sunlight. To maintain its body temperature a crocodilian can move around, bask in the sun or find a shady spot.
Turtles
Turtles are either cold or warm blooded. Aquatic turtles tend to be cold-blooded, while some species of terrestrial turtles are able to self-regulate their body temperature, making them warm-blooded.
Squamata
Squamata is a large and diverse taxonomic order that includes lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenids. All of them are solely cold blooded.
Just like other reptiles, squamatas rely on external sources of heat as they are unable to generate and maintain their own body heat. They absorb heat from the direct sunlight and warm surfaces.
Conclusion
In conclusion, generally speaking, all reptiles are cold-blooded. They cannot regulate their own body temperature and rely on external sources of heat or cold. However, there are some exceptions such as turtles that can be warm or cold-blooded.
