18. Endoterm

Geez. I feel so short next to these guys.

Definition: Endothermic animals are the opposite of ectotherms. These animals, such as mammals, are able to maintain their body temperature and homeostasis on their own.

What the specimen is: These are three of several giraffes in the exhibit. Giraffes are native to Chad, South Africa, Niger, and Somalia. The scientific name for this species is Giraffa camelopardalis. 

Where we found it: These giraffes were found in the African exhibit in the LA Zoo.

How it relates to endotherm: Giraffes are mammals, who are mostly able to regulate their body temperature without any external resources. Giraffes are able to maintain an internal body temperature of around 105 degrees fahrenheit.