With much of the northern hemisphere embedded in a deep
freeze, one wonders how cold weather animals remain alive through frigid
temperatures. Energy supplies are drained in the cold making it necessary to
have a good solid cache of warming survival skills. Some animals have adaptive
features and other animals have found adaptive techniques. Some of their
creative adaptations are listed below:
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Penguins: The penguin’s
outer surface of feathers drops to temperatures lower than the surrounding air creating
an insulating buffer. Further, to reduce heat loss from their feet by 15%, penguins will gently lean back picking
their toes off the ice.
Alpine Marmots: Beyond temperature, another added difficulty
in the cold is the lack of food. As a result, many animals like Alpine Marmots
simply go to sleep for a few months until food supply becomes abundant and
temperatures tolerable.
Japanese macaques: This primates’ habitat reaches the farthest
north of any other besides human. Part of their habitat though, includes
man-made hot springs, which has become part of their daily warming exercise.
Bison: In Yellowstone National Park the Bison take advantage
of hot springs as well. But because temperatures of these springs are too hot
for submersion, bison idle on the side to absorb radiating heat.
Humpback whale: Muscle movement is one way to stay warm but
it also consumes much energy. Instead, the humpback whale stores extra fat in
the form of blubber, to insulate it from chilly temperatures.
Polar Bear: The polar bear’s trifecta of techniques include
an underlying black hue on its skin to absorb sun, followed by a fluffy white
fur coat for warmth and a coarser exterior fur made up of individual water
repelling hollow hairs.
Many cold-blooded animals die in subzero temperatures
because the water in their blood turns to ice requiring specialized adaptive
techniques.
Icefish: The Antarctic Icefish evolved antifreeze proteins to
flow through its blood and keep bodily tissues from freezing.
European common lizard: This lizard generates glucose and
glycerol in its blood to prevent ice crystal development. Additionally for
added energy, it creates specialized mitochondria for it cell membranes.
Burmese python: The mother python produces body heat by flexing
muscles to warm her nest and keep her eggs warm.
Red-sided garter snakes: Taking the sleeping thing one step
further, the red-sided garter does it with company by gathering a few dozen of
its closest buddies for a cozy party. Once awake, they make use of the
closeness by mating.
Read more at Discovery
News.
Penguin Image
via Shutterstock.