Hot and Cold AnimalsBy Katie Mcilroy

Indian Elephants

• Indian Elephants live in dry grasslands, in India and Asia, therefore they need to keep themselves cool.

• Indian Elephants flap their large ears to cool their blood for circulation.

• “Using thermal cameras, biologists have discovered that the creatures bodies are covered in ‘hot spots’ that can help them lose heat.”

Fun Fact: Elephants also enjoy spraying themselves with water or mud to stay cool.

Qatari Camels

• Qatari Camels live in the desert and in hot, dry terrains.

• Because the desert in Qatar is so hot, camels need to keep cool in the day.

• Since a camel’s fat is stored in the hump, their body is not insulated and they are able to keep themselves cool in a desert.

Fun Fact: Contrary to a popular myth, camels do not actually store water in their humps, but fat.

Alaskan Polar Bears

• Alaskan Polar Bears generally live in snowy areas, along river banks and near water. Polar bears have developed special features for keeping warm in their icy terrain.

• These features include; water repellent guard hairs, dense under fur, and black skin for absorbing warmth.

Fun Fact: Alaskan Polar Bears usually live alone, except when mating or rearing cubs.

Leopard Seals

• Leopard Seals live in cold waters around Antarctica, so they have to keep warm to survive.

• Leopard Seals can keep warm because they have a thick layer of blubber under their skins.

Fun Fact: Leopard Seals sometimes play with penguins they do not intend to eat.

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-the-snow-with-frozen-snot-436766.html• http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/7663160/Elephants-use-hot-spots-to-stay-cool.html• http://www.thejunglestore.com/Camels• http://blog.mytravelasia.com/?p=196• http://www.muhammadsafwat.com/qatar/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Polar_Bear_-_Alaska.jpg• http://www.alaskanbears.com/alaskapolarbear.php• http://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/facts.htm• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_seal• http://www.gokids.com.au/kids/nov07_seal.pdf• http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=160• http://www.theanimalfiles.com/mammals/seals_sea_lions/leopard_seal.html