Cold blooded animals, also known as ectotherms, are animals that rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. This means that they cannot generate their own body heat and their internal temperature is dependent on the temperature of their surroundings.
Cold blooded animals have a lower metabolic rate compared to warm blooded animals. This is because they do not need to spend energy on maintaining a constant body temperature. Instead, they have a slower metabolism which allows them to conserve energy and survive in environments with limited food resources.
The efficiency of metabolism in cold blooded animals varies depending on the species and their environment. However, on average, cold blooded animals have a lower efficiency compared to warm blooded animals. This is because they have a slower metabolism and therefore require less energy to sustain themselves.
Cold blooded animals have various adaptations to help them survive in different temperatures. They can adjust their behavior, such as basking in the sun to increase their body temperature, or seeking shade to lower it. Some species also have physiological adaptations, such as changing their blood flow to different parts of their body, to regulate their temperature.
Cold blooded animals include reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates such as insects and crustaceans. Some well-known examples include snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles, and fish like sharks and tuna.