Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

poikilotherm

noun

/pɔɪˈkɪləˌθɜrm/

Definition

An organism whose internal temperature varies considerably.

Examples

Fish and amphibians are examples of poikilotherms.
On hot days, the body temperature of a poikilotherm can rise significantly.
In colder climates, poikilotherms may become less active due to low temperatures.

Meaning

Poikilotherms are animals that rely on external environmental conditions to regulate their body temperature, as opposed to maintaining a constant temperature internally.