Science

Wider daily temperature ranges linked to stronger fevers in amphibians and reptiles

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 13/11/2026, 13:10:24 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 study reports that amphibians and reptiles increase body temperature during infections via behavioral fever, a documented mechanism where they seek warmer microclimates. This physiological response may influence disease progression and survival rates in these ectothermic species.

Key points

• Amphibians and reptiles raise body temperature above normal levels during infections by moving to warmer environments, a process termed behavioral fever.
• This mechanism allows ectotherms to potentially mitigate infection severity by optimizing metabolic rates in favorable conditions.

Context

Behavioral fever is a well-documented physiological strategy in ectothermic animals to regulate body temperature during illness, potentially influencing infection outcomes.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to a single study from 2026; long-term effects of behavioral fever on disease progression remain unobserved.

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