Thermoregulation behavior to maintain homeostasis in ectotherms via Clay Modeling

Abstract

Ectotherms by nature require heat from an external source in order to maintain their core temperature, this can prove a challenge in environments where the temperature can reach below their comfort zone. In order to do this, we hypothesis that ectotherms will group together in order to maintain homeostasis, and that the more members that are present, the greater the heat retention. Our controlled experiment took three trial groups, one with a single clay model, one with three models, and one with five models. We brought them to 30 degrees Celsius and then gathered their temperature after five minutes of resting on a neutral surface. The results from this study conclude that with increased number models in a group, the greater the heat retention is for the core member, which prove our hypothesis correct. The importance of this study is to reflect on the behaviors of ectotherms and how they are able to maintain their body heat to ensure their metabolic rate stays constant.