[Campbell Biology P.941] The Adélie penguin and the ball python are both 4 kg, yet the pengu... | Practice Question

The Adélie penguin and the ball python are both 4 kg, yet the penguin's total annual energy expenditure 340,000 kcal/yr is significantly higher than the python's 8,000 kcal/yr . What is the most significant reason for this vast difference?

  • A: The penguin expends more energy on reproduction than the python.
  • B: The python has a higher activity level, requiring less overall energy.
  • C: The penguin, as an endotherm, expends a large proportion of energy on thermoregulation to maintain its body temperature.
  • D: The python's diet requires less energy for digestion compared to the penguin's.

Explanation

The most significant difference between the penguin and the python, despite their similar mass, is their thermoregulatory strategy. The penguin is an endotherm, meaning it generates and maintains its own high body temperature internally, which is an extremely energy-intensive process, especially given its Antarctic environment. The ball python, conversely, is ectothermic, relying on external heat sources and expending minimal energy on internal heat production. This fundamental difference in metabolic strategy accounts for the vast disparity in their total annual energy expenditures.