Into Hot Water: Lab test shows that worms seek heat

Worms from deep-sea vents actually prefer water at temperatures near the upper limits of what animals are known to survive. An experiment, featuring a heated aquarium pressurized to 246 atmospheres, marks the first time researchers have directly tested vent worms’ temperature preferences.

SOME LIKE IT HOT. The red, feathery gills mark the heads of heat-loving worms Paralvinella sulfincola on vents at depths of 2,200 meters off the coast of Washington State.