A squirrel that metabolically maintains its internal temperature during the summer but hibernates during the winter is a(n)
A) ectotherm.
B) heterotherm.
C) pyrotherm.
D) varitherm.
E) endotherm.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This squirrel is exhibiting characteristics of both endothermy (maintaining internal body temperature during summer) and heterothermy (hibernating during winter to conserve energy and allow body temperature to fluctuate with external temperature). Endotherms maintain a constant internal body temperature through metabolic heat production, while heterotherms have the ability to vary their body temperature to match their surroundings. Therefore, the squirrel is a heterotherm.

A Squirrel That Metabolically Maintains Its Internal Temperature During the Summer