Why Cold Water Shocks You—But Not Marine Mammals

Cold water hits different—and there’s a scientific reason why! Maynard Okereke explains how marine mammals like whales and seals have incredible adaptations that allow them to thrive in freezing waters. Their bodies slow their heart rate, conserve oxygen, and tolerate deep-sea pressures—all so they can survive the depths. But did you know humans have a similar response? Try this experiment: check your pulse before and after placing your face in cold water. You might just feel your own mammalian dive reflex in action!