Arctic Ocean Animals Adaptations
Some marine mammals such as whales migrate over large distances and may spend time in a combination of arctic tropical and temperate waters.
Arctic ocean animals adaptations. Many animals such as ptarmigan and snowshoe hare turn white in winter to blend in with the snowly landscape. They are adapted this way not so much to conserve heat as animals do but to conserve water. Antarctica is a very harsh and extreme environment though is very rich in wildlife Animals need to have a whole range of specializations to be able to take advantage of the abundant summer food.
ANIMALS living on LAND. Animals have to be well adapted for survival in this extreme habitat. Blubber is a thick fatty tissue just under the skin of many arctic.
During the summer months the sun shines up to 24 hours a day. They have streamlined bodies to help them swim fast and gills that suck the oxygen out of the water so they can breathe. For marine life the Arctic Ocean is a unique place to live.
The arctic ocean animals have thick layers of blubber to keep them warm in the frigid water. Plants called succulents have adapted to this climate by storing water in their short thick stems and leaves. Camels long leg eyelids hump are all examples of adaptation.
These animals adapt to permanently low temperatures such as those found in the Arctic by having low metabolic rates. Polar bear - caribou - musk ox - wolf - wolverine. CARIBOU are members of the deer family.
Plants with low growing small compact forms are the most successful in the arcticmosses and lichens grasses and low bushes are good examples. In the far north hares remain almost white in summer with patches of brown on the nose forehead and ears. This means that organisms in cold waters live and work at a lower speed than organisms in warmer waters.