What does homeothermy mean?
Homeothermy is the ability or condition of maintaining a relatively stable internal body temperature despite changes in the surrounding environment. It is most characteristic of birds and mammals, which use physiological mechanisms—including shivering, sweating, panting, and alterations in blood flow—to regulate heat loss and heat production. The term is closely associated with endothermy, but the concepts are not wholly interchangeable: homeothermy stresses temperature stability, while endothermy specifically refers to generating enough internal heat to maintain a body temperature distinct from the environment. Although some animals can maintain a fairly stable temperature under particular conditions, and small birds and mammals may allow substantial daily variation, homeothermy is generally used as a biological classification. The ability helps animals remain active across a broad range of climates, though it also requires substantial energy and creates constraints during extreme heat, cold, food scarcity, or illness.
nounHomeothermy is the biological condition of maintaining a relatively stable internal body temperature despite changes in environmental temperature. It is characteristic of birds and mammals, whose body temperatures are regulated through physiological processes such as shivering, sweating, and changes in blood flow.
- The physiological maintenance of a relatively stable internal body temperature despite variations in environmental temperature.
"The evolution of homeothermy allowed mammals to remain active across a wider range of climates."
"Birds and mammals exhibit homeothermy, maintaining generally stable body temperatures in many kinds of weather."
"The degree of homeothermy varies among species, with some mammals allowing their body temperatures to change more than others."
Homeothermy turned body heat into a biological superpower, helping mammals and birds stay active from polar cold to tropical heat.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does homeothermy come from?
Homeothermy combines elements derived from Greek roots meaning “same” and “heat.” The form reflects the scientific idea of maintaining a body temperature that remains relatively constant under changing external conditions. Its older British spelling, homoeothermy, preserves the Greek-derived combining form homoeo-, while the modern spelling homeo- became standard in American and international scientific usage.
Related word forms
How homeothermy is actually used
Homeothermy is a technical biological term. Although it is closely related to endothermy, it emphasizes the maintenance of a stable body temperature rather than the production of internal heat by the body itself.
Easily confused with homeothermy
Homeothermy describes the maintenance of a relatively constant internal temperature, whereas poikilothermy describes body temperature that varies substantially with the environment.