Question

List and discuss 5 physiological, morphological, or behavioral adaptations that allow reptiles to regulate their body temperature?

Answer 1

Ans: Reptiles are ectothermic animals and their body temperature depends on the external heat source-

A. 5 Behavioral adaptations to keep them warm-

1. Basking under the sun to gain heat.

2. Hibernation during winters.

3. THey display thermoregulation. For example- turning of the body towards sun most intense rays under sunlight by a lizard to capture maximum heat.

4. Avoid activities during early morning and evening times to maintain temperature.

5. They live in burrows to escape the heat like lizards use underground burrows.

B. 5 physiological adaptations to keep them warm-

1. Blood vessels are organized close to the skin to keep cells warm by circulating warm blood.

2. They display metachromism (change of body color in response to the environment). They turn dark to increases heat absorption in cool environment and turn light during a hot environment.

3. They show thigmothermy (transfer of heat from warm objects to themselves).

4. They undergo an evaporative cooling mechanism.

5. They regulate vasomotor responses that affect the heating and cooling rate of the body.

C. 5 morphological adaptations to keep them warm-

1. Presence of thick scales on the body to avoid water loss.

2. Presence of alveoli in the lungs for effective gas exchange.

3. Presence of specific heat-sensing organs in specific reptiles.

4. Prsence of heat sensitive membrane

5. Presence of reception cone.