Thermal regulation, also known as thermoregulation, is the means by which an organism maintains its body temperature at a stable level under various climatic conditions. There are several mechanisms by which an organism regulates body temperature and, furthermore, these mechanisms vary within taxonomic classes. The thermoregulation mechanisms are as follows: endothermy, ectothermy, heterothermy, homeothermy and poikilothermy. In simpler terms, most people refer to animals as cold-blooded or warm-blooded, but this statement is inaccurate because the blood of all these animals has relatively the same temperature, it is the means by which the animal maintains his body temperature. that's the difference. The targeted organisms belong to the class Reptilia, order Squamata or squamate reptiles. Squamate reptiles are commonly called lizards, snakes, or amphisbenes (legless lizards). These organisms have excellent methods for maintaining body temperature and adaptations that provide the animal with the tools necessary to live successfully in a wide range of environments. General characteristics of squamate reptiles are: keratinized scales, which help resist desiccation; excretion of uric acid, which minimizes water loss; and are poikilothermic and ectothermic, meaning that the animal will thermoregulate depending on its habitat and its body temperature will vary in response to ambient temperatures in the environment. Thermal Regulation Mechanisms Endothermy is defined as the process by which an organism maintains its body temperature through metabolic processes. regulation. It is a kind of internal “heating” for these animals. It serves to keep their body temperature stable in most environmental conditions. However, at extreme temperatures, the endothermi...... middle of paper ......p from the previous night, changing body posture to increase the surface area in contact with a hot rock surface to increase the rate of heat exchange, panting, limiting activity, etc. Although reptiles primarily use the environment for heat exchange, these animals have physiological mechanisms to contribute to thermal regulation. For example, changing skin color from a lighter shade of green to a dark shade of brown to increase heat absorption. Reptiles can also shut down bodily processes and enter a dormant state in order to survive low temperatures or stressful environmental pressures. Reptilian dormancy is known as brumation and is similar to hibernation. Reptiles typically enter brumation in late fall, when temperatures and day length decrease. They will sleep for months, however, they will wake up to drink water, but usually will not eat..