Celebrating the Cold: Four Fascinating Animals at Shedd that Thrive in Chilly Environments

Several of the animals that call Shedd home have amazing adaptations that help them survive in particularly chilly environments. Discover the functional fluffy trait of sea otters (Enhydra lutris), the unique gills of Japanese giant spider crabs (Macrocheira kaempferi), the thick blubber of belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) and the coppery blue blood of giant Pacific octopuses (Enteroctopus dofleini).

• Sea Otters: Both subspecies of sea otters, the northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) and the southern sea otter (Enhydra lutris nereis), rely on their extremely dense fur – up to 1 million hairs per square inch – to keep themselves warm in the cold Pacific Ocean. Unlike some marine mammals that have a thick layer of blubber, otters have fur to insulate them instead. Sea otters spend a large portion of the day grooming to maintain the insulating qualities or dry the fur. They use their paws to remove any debris and comb their fur, and sometimes, will even aerate their fur by blowing air into it. Additionally, these dexterous animals can reach every part of their fur. The sea otters at Shedd reside in the Abbott Oceanarium where their habitat ranges from 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Japanese Giant Spider Crab: The largest living crab in the world, the Japanese giant spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) can have a total leg span of over 12 feet. Relying on this intimidating size to frighten potential predators, their legs grow throughout their lives. A benthic animal, these invertebrates live on the ocean floor and survive their cold, deep environment by taking in oxygen through gills instead of lungs. This equalizes the pressure of the deep sea so that the crab is not crushed. Japanese giant spider crabs can be seen in the Oceans Gallery in a 50-degree Fahrenheit habitat.

• Belugas: Beluga whales’ (Delphinapterus leucas) snow-white skin covers a thick layer of blubber that helps them survive in coastal waters throughout the Arctic and the seas and coasts around North America, Russia and Greenland. Due to the need for this additional layer, adult beluga whales, which can grow up to 18 feet long, may also weigh more than 3,000 pounds. To find breathing holes in the ice or to hunt in dark or turbid waters, belugas use sounds and echolocation. Guests can come face-to-face with belugas in the Abbott Oceanarium and Polar Play Zone in the 55-degree Fahrenheit waters.

• Giant Pacific Octopus: Giant Pacific octopuses (Enteroctopus dofleini) prefer cold, nutrient-rich waters at depths over 100 meters, but can stray from the depths to shallow tidal pools and sometimes even come ashore to search for food. They are ectothermic animals, which means they rely on the surrounding water’s temperature to maintain a steady body temperature. They are also known for their blue blood – blue due to a copper-rich protein called hemocyanin, which is efficient for oxygen transport through the bloodstream in cold ocean environments. These octopuses are truly giant, with an average arm span of 14 feet. They are also masters of camouflage, blending their color, texture, and shape into the surrounding environment to ambush prey and avoid predators. In a 49-degree Fahrenheit habitat, the giant Pacific octopus can be found in the Oceans Gallery.

Guests can see these animals and the other astonishing residents as part of general admission. Each visit to the aquarium allows visitors to dive deeper into their compassion and curiosity for the aquatic animal world and supports the aquarium’s conservation efforts. Tickets and information for planning a visit can be found online: www.sheddaquarium.org/plan-a-visit. 

VISUALS: Visuals of each of the above animals are available for download: https://personal.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.aspx?v=8e6e6a8d5c676fb1b169.
Video Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Sam Cejtin
Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez