EVOLUTION NEWS  -

EXTREMOPHILES - HOW DO THEY SURVIVE?

 

 

The northern Alaska red flat bark beetle makes its own anti-freeze proteins and glycerol to prevent their fluids from forming ice crystals.  Even as larvae they can tolerate temperatures of minus 150 degrees Celsius.

 

The desert ants of the Sahara scavenges when the daily temperature is at its highest, thus avoiding their sluggish predators. They use their very long legs to move quickly while barely touching the sand, and stay out for only short periods of time.

 

The Himalayan jumping spider lives at heights of 6700 meters - higher than any other species.  Although there are no resident insects for them to hunt, the wind blows frozen insects up the mountain for them to eat. 

Read more:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/21923937