What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
poikilothermic
Example
Reptiles are poikilothermic animals. [poikilothermic: adjective]
Example
The lizard basked in the sun to warm up its poikilothermic body. [poikilothermic: adjective]
heterothermic
Example
Hibernating animals are heterothermic, allowing their body temperature to drop during periods of inactivity. [heterothermic: adjective]
Example
Some bats are heterothermic, switching between endothermy during flight and ectothermy during rest. [heterothermic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Poikilothermic is a more commonly used term than heterothermic in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between poikilothermic and heterothermic?
Both poikilothermic and heterothermic are formal terms used in scientific contexts, but poikilothermic is more commonly used in everyday language as well.
