Survival strategies of marine mammals in extreme environments: A study of whales and seals

¹ Biology Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Raja Ali Haji Maritime University, Indonesia
² National Aquarium in Baltimore, 501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202-3194, USA

^* Corresponding author: triwidyaedelwis@gmail.com

Abstract

Extreme environments, characterized by challenges such as sub-zero temperatures, limited sunlight and scarce resources, pose great challenges to organisms, including marine mammals. Marine mammals have evolved to live in extreme environments.These mammals are highly tolerant of cold and stress and can continue to breathe for long periods of time. The method used in this article is literature study by analyzing several articles. Marine mammals such as seals have a thick layer of fat. This adaptation reduces heat loss and helps maintain body temperature in cold environments. Cetaceans, like whales, have undergone fundamental morphological and molecular changes to adapt to the aquatic environment. Characteristic of these whales are their baleen plates and ability to communicate through vocal signals, forage socially, and migrate across much of the globe.