TOP 10 EXTREME ANIMAL SURVIVORS
From scorching deserts to frozen ice caps, dizzying mountains and deep sea trenches, these animals have found ways to survive in the deadliest environments on Earth
source Matt Ayres
1.
CamelWhere water is rare, camels thrive Ask people what camels store in their humps, and many will tell you that it’s water. But contrary to the common myth, the protrusions on camels’ backs have nothing to do with keeping these gangly mammals hydrated. Camel humps are simply stores of fat, which they use to fuel
their bodies when food is scarce. As for getting enough water, camels call upon a wealth of impressive adaptations to keep their bodies from drying out in the arid desert. Unlike humans, camels barely sweat at all – their thick coats help to insulate their bodies in the scorching sun, so they can withstand temperatures up to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit) without losing excessive water through their sweat glands. And while other mammals expel moisture in their breath, the camel’s nostrils have evolved to trap water vapour and reabsorb it into the body. When they do get a chance to drink, camels really go for it – an average-sized, 600-kilogram (1,300 pound) camel can consume 200 litres in around three minutes. Other mammals might rupture their blood cells by drinking so much, but the camel’s unusual oval-shaped blood cells mean they’re capable of withstanding extreme variations in water content.
2.
RatNever underestimate the common rat Whether you love or loathe rats, there’s no denying their phenomenal survival skills. These rodents are made of tough stuff: they’ve been known to survive getting flushed down the toilet and falling from heights equivalent to fi ve stories. Rats can also survive the nuclear fallout from atomic bombs, as witnessed in roof rats on the nuclear testing ground of Enewetak Atoll. The rat’s anatomy seems designed to inhabit almost any environment – it is able to swim in open ocean, climb vertical walls, leap several times its body length, and bite through thick concrete or metal to find a safe place to live.
It’s therefore no surprise that humans find it difficult to keep rats out of their homes. The cunning critters might scale your walls and sneak through cracks in the roof, gnaw through narrow holes in your brickwork or arrive in your toilet bowl by swimming through sewage pipes. But before you begin your anti-rat crusade, consider that these rodents are also some of the most intelligent and affectionate animals around. Pet rats love to play with their owners – like dogs, they can learn their names and be taught tricks.
African giant pouched rats have even been trained to sniff out human hazards, from
land mines to tuberculosis
3.
GannetSeabirds that survive terrifying dive bombs While the term ‘gannet’ often refers to someone who scoffs
an excessive amount of food in a short amount of time, these mighty sea birds are more than mere gluttons. As the UK’s largest sea bird, it’s true that gannets are capable of eating large quantities of fish. However, it’s the method they use to catch their prey that means they should be considered among nature’s most extreme survivors.
Gannets hunt by turning their bodies into sleek, seafaring missiles – once they reach an altitude of 30 metres (98 feet), the birds angle their bodies downward and dart towards the water at terrific speed, reaching 97 kilometres (60 miles) per hour before they hit the surface. While most birds would be injured by the impact of such a daring dive, gannets’ faces and chests are equipped with air sacs that cushion their entry. The extra momentum allows them to pursue their prey into deeper water than most birds.
4.
GuanacoLlama-like masters of mountaineering Along with llamas and alpacas, guanacos are related to camels. They can therefore survive for long periods without water. In fact, guanacos living in the Atacama Desert, Chile, rarely drink at all, getting all the moisture they need by consuming water absorbent plants such as cacti
and lichens. But it’s not just a lack of water that guanacos have to worry about. These mammals are
frequently found in the steep, mountainous regions of South America, at breathtaking altitudes reaching up to 4,000 metres (13,100 feet) above sea level. In order to traverse these treacherous cliffs and sheer slopes, guanacos have broad, two-toed feet, which provide them with excellent balance.
Oxygen levels are dangerously low in this lofty environment, so the guanaco has adapted to make the most of the available air particles. Its blood is rich in red blood cells, containing four-times the number found in human blood. A single teaspoon of guanaco blood contains approximately 68 billion red blood cells, each
packed with haemoglobin that helps to carry oxygen around the animal’s body. Life in the mountains can be bitterly cold, so the guanaco’s shaggy coat is another essential tool, preventing rain from chilling their skin.
5.
CockroachNuclear apocalypse? No problem for cockroaches Tough, adaptable and super resilient, cockroaches are among the most impressive survivors of the insect world. Tests have shown that these much-maligned bugs are capable of surviving powerful radioactive rays, meaning that in the event of a worldwide nuclear war, cockroaches could potentially outlive humans.
Another reason for the cockroach’s hardy reputation is the species’ ability to quickly adjust its instincts in response to environmental factors. For example, some populations of cockroaches have learned to avoid sugary bait, which is commonly mixed with poison to exterminate roach nests.
An aversion to sweet tastes has since passed through cockroach generations, eff ectively leading the insects to evolve in a matter of years and thus increasing their chances of survival. Perhaps most amazingly of all, cockroaches can live for weeks without a head. Cockroaches can continue scuttling
around long a er being decapitated, breathing through spiracles in their bodies. However, without a head they are unable to eat, so they eventually die of starvation.
6.
Dung beetleThese industrious insects dine on dung
Being a true survivor means taking advantage of whatever food is available. Insects are particularly unfussy when it comes to what they eat – one species has become famous for indulging in the most rancid meal imaginable.
Dung beetles are coprophagous animals, meaning that they feast on faeces. In fact, they gorge on the stuff, doing everything they can to get their segmented legs on a fresh portion. Some roll the dung into balls and push them back to their burrows; others bury it where they can find it later for a more immediate meal, or simply live in piles of manure to avoid the strenuous task of hauling it around with them.
Dung rolling is hard – some scarab species are capable of pushing balls over 1,000-times their weight. This makes them the strongest animal on Earth in comparison to body weight. Imagine tugging six double-decker buses on your own, and you’ll get an idea of their strength.
7.
Polar bearArctic survivors that embrace the cold
The Arctic is one of Earth’s most famously hostile environments, so it’s fitting that its most famous inhabitant is an animal built for survival. Polar bears are the biggest bears in the world, and the only ones capable of surviving in the Arctic’s icy climes. Temperatures here can drop to -50 degrees Celsius
(-58 degrees Fahrenheit) in winter.
To cope with such frosty weather, the polar bear is equipped with two layers of fur: a thick thermal undercoat of dense hair, and an outer coat of longer guard hairs to prevent ice and water from reaching their skin. Beneath their coats, polar bears have a thick layer of body fat, which serves as extra
insulation and an energy reserve for long periods without food. This means polar bears are very good at fasting – they can survive for an incredible ten months without food.
Despite their survival skills, climate change remains a constant threat; polar bears are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
8.
Emperor penguinThese blubbery birds team up to tackle life in Antarctica Emperor penguins rule the vast wilderness of Antarctica. Like other birds, penguins have densely packed feathers to keep them warm. However, the best defence emperor penguins have against the cold is a thick layer of fat under their skin.
This is particularly useful when braving the icy water. While other sea birds can only remain submerged for short periods, emperor penguins can stay in the bitterly cold Antarctic water for 20 minutes. They can also dive deeper than any other bird, reaching depths of 565 metres (1,850 feet).
There’s safety in numbers, as well as warmth. With little shelter from the elements, these penguins huddle together in their thousands to conserve heat. This technique is vital in the middle of winter, as the males
are left to incubate their eggs through snowstorms and subzero temperatures. Without huddling, a single emperor penguin would burn through twice the amount of body fat to stay warm.
9.
Wood frogUnassuming amphibians who freeze themselves to survive winter Frogs aren’t obvious winter animals, but one North American variety has overcome its aversion to cold weather by adopting a rather extreme survival strategy: freezing itself alive.
The wood frog, which can be found in cold northern states such as Alaska, is a famously freeze-tolerant creature capable of surviving for weeks on end with 65 per cent of its body frozen solid. During this time, the frog’s body grinds to a halt, with basic functions such as breathing and circulation entering a state
of limbo. When the weather warms up, the wood frog thaws out and continues life as normal, suffering no ill effects.
The trick is made possible thanks to cryoprotectants: chemicals in the frog’s body that prevent cell tissues from shrinking and drying out when exposed to extreme temperatures. Scientists studying wood frogs believe that similar chemicals could be used to freeze human organs for transplantation.
10.
TardigradeMeet the most resilient animal on Earth They may not look particularly exciting, but tardigrades (also known as water bears or moss piglets) have the distinct honour of being Earth’s most extreme survivors. These microscopic creatures are 0.5 millimetres (0.02 inches) long when fully grown, and can be found in a diverse range of habitats, from the tops of mountains to the deepest depths of the ocean.
With the ability to survive boiling hot and freezing cold temperatures, withstand pressures 6,000-times stronger than the planet’s atmosphere, and survive devastating doses of radiation, the tardigrade is one seriously tough cookie. The tiny critters can even survive in the lifeless vacuum of space – something no other animal has been able to do.
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