How do endotherms primarily regulate their body temperature when too hot?

Endotherms, or warm-blooded animals, have a complex system for regulating their body temperature, particularly when they become overheated. Sweating and panting are two primary physiological responses that help to cool the body.

When an endotherm sweats, moisture on their skin evaporates, which dissipates heat and lowers body temperature. Similarly, panting increases the rate of breathing, allowing for the expulsion of heat through the respiratory pathway. As air passes over the moist surfaces in the respiratory system, it facilitates evaporative cooling, helping to reduce the animal's core temperature effectively.

Both sweating and panting are efficient mechanisms that enable these animals to maintain homeostasis despite rising external temperatures. This reaffirms their ability to thrive in varying environmental conditions, highlighting their adaptability as endotherms.