Habitat

(c) Nate Holland 2005~ Hot Springs at Yellowstone National Park

    Thermus aquaticus live in hot springs such as this thermal spring in Yellowstone.  Their optimum temperature is 70 C, but they can live in 40-79 C. They can also live in hot springs in California, and in a number of synthetic environments created by scientist.  One of the most amusing would be the hot bath tubs that Thomas D. Brock grew Thermus aquaticus when he was first researching the bacteria and testing them. There are very specific pH levels that are required for the survival of T. aquaticus. The optimum pH level is 7.5-7.8. No growth can occur between pH 6 and pH 9.5.

Check out this awesome video to learn about Yellowstone National Park:

http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/search/assetDetail.cfm?guidAssetID=0660A56E-52BC-4EFF-9331-031E3A79B386