We have often heard people being called cold-blooded but scientifically it is impossible. Do we know how this term originated? On the basis of body temperatures, all the living beings have been classified into tow categories- the cold blooded and the warm blooded.
Tortoise is a cold blooded animal
Cold blooded creatures are those whose body temperature does not remain constant. Their body temperature changes according to the surrounding environment. The temperature becomes high during the summers and low during the winters. Interestingly, it changes even during the day- being less in the cool morning than in the hot noon.
Frogs, tortoises, snakes, skunks, and some variety of fishes are the cold blooded creatures. During the winters, their temperature falls down to such a proportion that in order to survive they go into their holes under the earth. If they do not do so, their blood would freeze and they would die. During winters, they sleep in their holes. This is called the ‘hibernation’ period. These animals do not take food during this period. Even their physical processes get slowed down. When they come up on the surface after this period, they are usually very weak.
Dog is a warm blooded animal
On the other hand, warm blooded creatures are those whose body temperature remains almost constant I winter or summer. The surroundings do not affect their body temperature. Man, bat, dog, cat, cock, cow, etc., come under this category.
For example, the normal body temperature of man is 98.4 degree Fahrenheit. And of some other creatures it is as follows; bat, 104 degree Fahrenheit; dog, 102 degree Fahrenheit; cow, 101 degree Fahrenheit; cat, 101.6 degree Fahrenheit; cock, 102 degree Fahrenheit. If the body temperature, the animal may fall sick. They need more energy to maintain a constant body temperature.
That is why the warm blooded creatures consume more food. Their physical processes continue normally, all round the year. There re special organs called hypothalamus in their bodies that control the temperature and do not allow it to go beyond or below a certain level. The heat lost and the heat produced is balanced, in these animals.