As temperatures start to drop with the advent of winter, ectothermic (coldblooded) animals start preparing for the change in season to better adapt to the harsh and brutal cold. Ectothermic animals rely on the external environment to regulate their body temperature. Reptiles and amphibians are commonly known as ectothermic animals that have to adjust to changing environmental and weather conditions.
The word ectotherm comes from the Greek words ektós (meaning 'outside') and thermós (meaning 'heat'). Ectothermic animals are not capable of thermoregulation. Thermoregulation is the ability to control one's own body temperature to comply with the surrounding environment. One particular group of reptiles that cannot do this is snakes. Snakes have other adaptation strategies instead, to survive colder temperatures.
In snakes, the internal physiological heat sources play a negligible role in regulating their body temperature, which makes these reptiles rely on the external environment for heat. They have evolved to undergo a process called 'brumation', which is usually thought to be their version of hibernation.
There is, however, a fundamental difference between these two processes. Hibernation is defined as complete inactivity, wherein an animal such as the Himalayan Brown bear goes to sleep and its heart rate drops to a significantly lower level. But in brumation, snakes are neither completely inactive nor do they DESCUDER go to sleep. It is a period of partial activity and their metabolism rates slow down tremendously.
This story is from the December 2022 - February 2023 edition of Saevus.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2022 - February 2023 edition of Saevus.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Frames from the WILD
A few amazing shots from a horde of incredible ones!
Happy in HAMPI!
We all know Hampi as a site of historical beauty. The author takes us to glimpse a completely different side of this fascinating region.
SAEVUS Eco-Achievers Quiz
The Eco-Achievers Quiz organised by Saevus was an event to remember!
Flights of Fancy!
Catching up with the Winged Fairies in Namdapha. All you lovers of these winged beauties, Namdapha is the spot for you!
Safari to Sanctuary!
The author discusses the dangers of wildlife tourism and animal confinement of any kind; along with the steps that can be taken to prevent any more mistakes.
Imperilling the WILD!
In our bid to grow economically, are we consciously ignoring the natural world?
Bird Paradise at Risk!!
Sheikha Jheel: From hunters' playground to bird paradise. Destruction of valuable habitat in the name of development is a problem that must be monitored and prevented. The article stresses this point fervently
The Living Air
Aasheesh Pittie takes you on a tour through bird behaviour, exploring one bird at a time.
Flying Anew!
The author marvels at the resilience of the injured Shikra bird and rejoices in its recovery.
The Banni Vacationers!
I first saw the Grey Hypocolius in a date palm grove outside Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during one of my visits as a consultant to the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) in the late 1980s.