Aves
This structure helps seabirds remove excess salt from seawater.
What are salt glands?
Marine reptiles are generally this type of temperature regulator.
What is ectothermic?
This layer of fat helps marine mammals stay warm.
What is blubber?
This vertebrate class is warm-blooded, has feathers, and often uses salt glands to survive in marine environments.
What is Aves?
This body shape helps marine vertebrates move efficiently through water.
What is streamlined?
This marine bird group has wings adapted more for swimming than flying.
What are penguins?
These specialized structures help sea turtles and marine iguanas remove excess salt.
What are salt glands?
This marine mammal can dive deeper than most other vertebrates.
What is the sperm whale?
This vertebrate class is warm-blooded, breathes air, nurses its young, and often has blubber for insulation.
What is Mammalia?
This process helps some animals reduce heat loss in limbs.
What is countercurrent heat exchange?
This bird is known for dynamic soaring and can travel huge distances with little wing flapping.
What is an albatross?
This marine reptile is famous for migrating back to beaches to lay eggs.
What is a sea turtle?
This marine mammal group includes seals, sea lions, and walruses.
What are pinnipeds?
This vertebrate class is cold-blooded, breathes air, and often relies on basking or warm waters to regulate body temperature.
What is Reptilia?
This is the movement of animals from one region to another for food or reproduction.
What is migration?
This adaptation helps marine birds stay warm in cold ocean environments.
What are dense waterproof feathers and insulation?
Why are most marine reptiles found in warm waters?
Because they rely on environmental heat and lose heat more easily.
This physiological adaptation helps marine mammals store oxygen for long dives.
What is high myoglobin / oxygen storage?
This vertebrate class uses lungs instead of gills, lays eggs on land, and often has scales that reduce water loss.
What is Reptilia?
Why is salt balance important for marine vertebrates?
To maintain proper internal water and ion balance.
Explain why marine birds are considered endothermic and how that benefits them.
They maintain internal body temperature, allowing activity in cold conditions.
This large marine reptile can maintain warmer body temperatures than most reptiles because of size and insulation.
What is the leatherback sea turtle?
Explain one reason cetaceans are considered the most specialized marine mammals.
Fully aquatic body shape, flukes, streamlined bodies, diving ability.
This vertebrate class can include species that fly, dive, migrate long distances, and maintain a constant internal body temperature.
What is Aves?
A sudden ocean cooling event occurs. Which group would likely struggle most first?
Marine reptiles