How do snakes regulate their body temperature?

Snakes regulate their body temperature primarily through behavioral adaptations, which is effectively illustrated by basking in the sun or seeking shade. As ectothermic (or "cold-blooded") animals, snakes do not generate internal heat like warm-blooded animals do. Instead, they rely on their environment to maintain their body temperature within a suitable range.

When a snake needs to warm up, it will bask in the sun, absorbing heat from the sunlight. This process helps elevate their body temperature to optimal levels necessary for physiological processes such as digestion and mobility. Conversely, when a snake becomes overheated, it may seek shade or retreat to cooler areas to lower its body temperature, preventing overheating.

Other options like generating internal heat or consuming more food do not apply to snakes, as they cannot internally regulate temperature and their metabolic rate does not directly correlate with their body temperature regulation in the same way it does for warm-blooded animals. Remaining in water can provide temporary relief from excessive heat, but it is not the primary method snakes use to regulate their overall body temperature.