Reptiles are ectotherms whose main source of body heat comes from the environment.

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

6 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that reptiles are ectotherms whose main source of body heat comes from the environment?

Yes. Reptiles are widely recognized in scientific reference and literature as ectotherms that rely on the environment rather than internal metabolic processes as their primary source of body heat.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 6 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 4 Oct 2026

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Evidence for · 6

Wikipedia: Reptile

Reference article covering this claim directly

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Wikipedia: Reptile. (n.d.). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptile

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More for · 5

PLOS (all journals): Formal comment on: Myhrvold (2016) Dinosaur metabolism and the allometry of maximum growth rate. PLoS ONE ; 11(11): e0163205

Notes that in extant ectotherms, body temperature fluctuates and the main source of internal heat comes from the environment.

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PLOS (all journals): Formal comment on: Myhrvold (2016) Dinosaur metabolism and the allometry of maximum growth rate. PLoS ONE ; 11(11): e0163205. (n.d.). PLOS (all journals). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0184756

GovInfo: FR 2011 03 15

States that flat-tailed horned lizards, typical of reptiles, obtain their body heat from the surrounding environment.

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GovInfo: FR 2011 03 15. (n.d.). GovInfo. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-2011-03-15

LibreTexts: LibreTexts: 12.06: Vertebrates

Explicitly defines reptiles as ectotherms whose main source of body heat comes from the environment.

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LibreTexts: LibreTexts: 12.06%3A Vertebrates. (n.d.). LibreTexts. https://bio.libretexts.org/Courses/Los_Angeles_Harbor_College/Biology_3_Lecture_(Escandon)/12%3A_Diverstity_of_Animals/12.06%3A_Vertebrates

OpenStax: OpenStax Biology: 29.4 Reptiles

Defines reptiles as ectotherms, animals whose main source of body heat comes from the environment.

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OpenStax: OpenStax Biology: 29.4 Reptiles. (n.d.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/biology/pages/7c002ad9-7046-4631-ae85-192159967cab@

Wikibooks: Wikibooks: General Biology/Print version

States reptiles are cold-blooded or ectothermic, meaning their heat comes from their environment.

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Wikibooks: Wikibooks: General Biology/Print version. (n.d.). Wikibooks. https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/General_Biology/Print_version

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