Concept:
Heating certain metal oxides creates crystal defects where the ratio of metal to oxygen is no longer a simple whole number.
Step 1: {Analyze the effect of heat on Zinc Oxide.}
When $ZnO$ is heated, it loses oxygen atoms from the lattice according to the following equation:
$$ZnO \xrightarrow{\Delta} Zn^{2+} + \frac{1}{2}O_2 + 2e^-$$
Step 2: {Identify the resulting lattice defect.}
The excess $Zn^{2+}$ ions and electrons occupy interstitial sites in the crystal. This creates a metal excess defect.
Step 3: {Determine the stoichiometry change.}
Because of the excess zinc, the formula becomes $Zn_{1+x}O$. This makes it a non-stoichiometric oxide.