Surviving & Thriving in Cold Water

Anywhere in the world, the temperature of most water in the deep ocean is only 39 degrees F. Most seafloor creatures live at that temperature at all times. Most animals ROV Hercules encounters on the seafloor are invertebrates, which do not regulate body temperature like mammals. However, animals that infrequently visit the deep sea, like deep-diving whales, must have adaptations to handle the cold temperatures. In this lesson, using the 5E method (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, Evaluate) students will research the various ways animals adapt to handle cold water as well as experiment with different strategies in a hands-on insulation lab!