As winter progresses, periwinkles migrate down the shore to reduce their air exposure time to only a few hours. You'll also find snails and crabs who have sought shelter under seaweeds or rocks to avoid the freezing winds. Intertidal organisms will also relocate to high salinity tide pools, as a higher percentage of salt results in a lower-temperature freezing point. Like cats, some dark-pigmented seaweeds and mobile animals can also expose themselves to the winter sun to absorb solar radiation, which will help raise body temperature and prevent freezing. Many organisms also benefit from metabolic or biochemical changes in cold weather.
Some animals produce glycerol, an alcohol compound that works as an antifreeze.
Seaweeds, mussels and fish are known to increase the salt content of their body fluids by either losing water or taking in salt. Again, this higher salt content helps to prevent freezing. As foreboding as the winter beach appears, it is teeming with life. Some would say that there is no greater pleasure than to walk a deserted beach on a cold, sunny day in winter. The Winter Beach was written by Mary Cerullo , who has authored a number of articles, curricula and special projects the Gulf of Maine Aquarium.