Endotherm

Endotherm
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Definition of endothermic :
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endotherms, animals — birds and mammals — that generate internally the heat needed to maintain their body temperature.

endothermic A reaction that gives off energy. The product is in a lower energy state than the reactants.
endotherms Animals that have the ability to maintain a constant body temperature over a wide range of environmental conditions.

endotherm
(en-doh-thurm) [Gk. endon, within + therme, heat]
An animal that uses metabolic energy to maintain a constant body temperature, such as a bird or mammal. See also Homeotherm.
endotoxin ...

Endotherms
Main article: Endotherm
Birds avoid overheating by panting since, unlike the mammals, their thin skin has no sweat glands. Down feathers trap warm air acting as excellent insulators (sometimes used by humans).

Endothermic term used to describe an animal capable of controlling its body temperature internally
(endo = within‚ inner; thermo = heat) ...

endotherm (or homeotherm)An organism that can regulate its internal temperature. Compare ectotherm.
endothermic Having a body temperature determined by heat derived from the animal's own oxidative metabolism; contrasts with ectothermic.

Remember, not all animals that fly have feathers, but all almost every endothermic animal (warm-blooded) has a covering of hair or feathers for insulation. The recent (1999) discovery of a "feathered" dinosaur adds credence to this speculation.

Over time, bird species developed very efficient respiratory systems, circulatory systems, and the ability to keep warm. The body heat of reptiles changes with the temperature of the environment while birds are endotherms, ...

Examples of convergence are: fins or fin-like structures in fish, cuttlefish and whales; extreme similarity in alarm calls by five small birds; endothermy in dogs and ducks, wings of butterflies and birds.

See also: Animal, Environment, Organ, Long, Blood