In the depths of the blue waters around the world is a whole ecosystem of life. From coral and fish to sharks and whales there is a whole different world that we have only touched the surface of in our exploration of the seas.
Humans have evolved over time and we have designed technologies to help us manipulate the environment around us so that we are no longer subject to the natural elements. We are lucky enough that come to the colder weather we will be able to heat our homes at the flick of a switch or throw a few logs into the new fireplace with thanks to an Antique Fireplaces Ireland company who can provide beautiful pieces to suit you. The creatures who dwell in the waters do not have this option so how do they keep themselves warm when the weather starts to turn?
As the warm waters start to cool in the winter months sea creatures migrate to the deeper waters. This might seem like a strange thing to do but in actual fact, warm water is denser than cold meaning that the warm waterfalls to the deeper depths. In places like the Antarctic it can be hard to find any warmer waters due to the extreme temperatures in this region and the animals on both land and in the sea have adapted to in order to survive. One way these deep-sea creatures have adapted is that they have body cells that are high in unsaturated fats. Sharks are particularly adept at being able to deal with the colder waters and this is attributed to the fact that they are what is known as endotherms. Creatures in this category are able to raise their blood temperature in order to keep their bodies warm. Other adaptations needed to survive in the deep waters include the use of electro sense to be able to sense their prey or escape from their predators and some have adapted ways to be able to light up the dark waters.
There are two types of creatures (on both land and sea this is the same) – endotherms and ectotherms. As mentioned above endotherms are water bloodied animals that create their own heat from within their bodies. These are usually larger animals that have good insulation which comes in the form of a layer of fat located below the surface of the skin. These animals cope with the cold by huddling together to share body warmth as well as eating foods that are high in energy. Ectotherms are cold-blooded and do not have the ability to be able to warm their bodies internally and they have to generate heat from outside. They do this by burrowing into the ground to seek the warmth of the earth. In the waters, ectotherm creatures bask in the sunlight to warm up their bodies. When their bodies cool down you will find that these creatures move around less and sometimes even stay still in a bid to conserve their energy and body warmth.
