Deep Ocean Animals Adaptations

Rods help eyes sense light.

Deep ocean animals adaptations. Contains a chart for students to label the different zones of the ocean as well as a chart to keep track of different animalcreature adaptations in different zones. Seep communities are more dispersed in areas where hydrocarbons particularly methane or other natural gases are percolating up through deep-sea sediments. Many deep-sea animals produce their own light by means of luminous organs eg lantern fish.

Usually lightless sea bottom is referred to as deep sea ie from lower limit of littoral zone 200 metres deep to the ocean floor. Sunlight penetrates here it requires less specialization for seeing. For example many types of seaweed attach.

More about deep ocean exploration can be found in our Deep Ocean Exploration section. Deep sea creatures have evolved some fascinating feeding mechanisms because food is scarce in these zones. Animals adapt to their environments to help them survive.

Encourage students to think about adaptations in marine animals related to obtaining food providing camouflage or safety from predators or dealing with changes in temperature salinity pressure lack of sunlight and need for oxygen. First off the deep ocean is dark because sunlight cant penetrate very far into the water. Eyes contain a type of light receptor called rods.

The benthic division includes Bathyal 200 m 400 m Abyssal. Learn to draw deep sea fishes with interesting and surprising adaptations. Deep-sea creatures are animals that live below the photic zone of the ocean.

Connection to NGSS -. Water depth temperature and the presence or absence of light are some of the conditions that differ in these habitats. Fish Biologist Kate Bemis Illustrator Rachel Keeffe and Ocean Educator Lara Noren.