Both ectotherms and endotherms use behaviour to control body temperature. For ectotherms it is the main method; for endotherms it saves the energy and water that physiological responses would use.Gaining heat
• Basking in the sun, often on dark or warm surfaces. Many lizards turn their bodies at right angles to the Sun's rays in the morning, exposing the largest area.
• Pressing the body against warm rocks or ground, gaining heat by conduction.
• Huddling together, as emperor penguins do in the Antarctic winter, which reduces the exposed surface area of each individual.
• Curling up, sheltering from the wind and increasing activity.Losing heat or avoiding heat gain
• Moving into shade, or turning the body parallel to the Sun's rays to reduce the area exposed.
• Retreating into burrows, where the temperature is lower and more stable than at the surface.
• Being nocturnal, or active only at dawn and dusk, in hot places.
• Wallowing in mud or water, as elephants and hippos do, or spreading saliva on the fur, as kangaroos do, so that evaporation cools them.
• Lying spread out on cool ground.Behavioural control has a cost: time spent basking or hiding in a burrow cannot be spent feeding, finding mates or watching for predators. So there is often a trade-off between controlling temperature and other activities.Humans use behaviour too, by changing clothing, seeking shade and using heating or air conditioning.
• Basking in the sun, often on dark or warm surfaces. Many lizards turn their bodies at right angles to the Sun's rays in the morning, exposing the largest area.
• Pressing the body against warm rocks or ground, gaining heat by conduction.
• Huddling together, as emperor penguins do in the Antarctic winter, which reduces the exposed surface area of each individual.
• Curling up, sheltering from the wind and increasing activity.Losing heat or avoiding heat gain
• Moving into shade, or turning the body parallel to the Sun's rays to reduce the area exposed.
• Retreating into burrows, where the temperature is lower and more stable than at the surface.
• Being nocturnal, or active only at dawn and dusk, in hot places.
• Wallowing in mud or water, as elephants and hippos do, or spreading saliva on the fur, as kangaroos do, so that evaporation cools them.
• Lying spread out on cool ground.Behavioural control has a cost: time spent basking or hiding in a burrow cannot be spent feeding, finding mates or watching for predators. So there is often a trade-off between controlling temperature and other activities.Humans use behaviour too, by changing clothing, seeking shade and using heating or air conditioning.