endothermy
/ˈɛndoʊˌθɜrmi/
noun
- The ability of an animal to maintain a constant body temperature by generating heat internally, as in mammals and birds.
- Endothermy allows mammals to stay active even in cold weather.
- Birds and mammals share the trait of endothermy, which requires a high metabolic rate.
- The evolution of endothermy was a major step in the history of life on Earth.