Baby, It Is Cold Outside!

Homeschool Web Activity December 2012Houston Zoo

Temperature Drops There are many places on Earth

with extreme temperature drops High up in the mountains in the

upper elevations, temperatures drop

As you get closer to the poles of the Earth, the temperatures drop

And even the deeper you go into the oceans, the temperatures drop

Braving the Elements There are many animals that are

capable of braving the elements at these extreme cold temperatures

These animals have special adaptations that help them contend with the cold

Mammals Some of the animals that live in colder

temperatures are mammals

Remember that mammals: Are endothermic Have hair Give birth to live offspring Feed their offspring milk

Bundled-Up Mammals The mammals that call these chilly

temperatures home have some pretty neat survival gear!

Bundled-Up Mammals!

The snow leopards that live up in the Himalayan mountains have a thick, dense coat to keep them warm. They even have furry soles of their feet to protect their paw pads from the cold rocky surface.

Bundled-Up Mammals Polar bears have stark white

fur covering their body that allows them to camouflage with the snow and ice and the fur also provides the bear with insulation. Underneath their white fur, they have black skin that soaks up the suns heat.

Bundled-Up Mammals We have learned about the snow

leopards who live in the cold temperatures up in the mountains.

We have learned about the polar bears who live in the cold temperatures in near the poles.

But what about the mammals who live in the cold temperatures of the ocean depths?

Marine Mammals The mammals that call the

ocean depths home have very unique adaptations.

One of the most important adaptations for living in the cold water is the presence of blubber!

Blubber is B.E.S.T!

To help us remember all the ways blubber helps marine mammals, just remember the saying “Blubber is B.E.S.T”!

BLUBBER!

Blubber is B.E.S.T! Blubber helps keep the marine mammal

Buoyant

Blubber is B.E.S.T! Blubber helps give the marine mammals

extra Energy

Blubber is B.E.S.T! Blubber helps the marine mammals stay

Streamlined

Blubber is B.E.S.T! Blubber provides the marine mammals

with Thermoregulation

Blubber is B.E.S.T! Blubber is one of the special

adaptations that marine mammals have to live in the cold ocean depths.

Animals like whales, sea lions, and walruses all have blubber.

Try It Out! We have discussed different ways

mammals brave the colder temperatures and how blubber helps marine mammals.

Now it is your turn to get a first-hand feel of what it would be like to have a protective layer of blubber.