Final answer:
Animals maintain their body temperature through four main mechanisms: conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. Insulation such as fur, fat, and feathers helps to conserve heat, while behaviors and physiological reactions like shivering or panting assist in both heat conservation and dissipation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Animals use several mechanisms to regulate their body temperature, balancing heat gain and heat loss to maintain homeostasis. These mechanisms include conduction, convection, radiation, and evaporation. Conduction involves direct transfer of heat through contact with surfaces, like an animal lying on a warm rock.
Certain endothermic animals, such as polar bears or arctic foxes, have adaptations like fur, feathers, or fat to insulate the body and conserve heat. These adaptations can also include behaviors like shivering or utilizing brown fat to generate metabolic heat.