Wildlife of Antarctica
A quick guide to the animals of Antarctica
Antarctica offers an intimate look inside a unique fauna and life that have adapted to the most extreme climate on Earth. Bitterly cold winds whip across the landscape. Winter temperatures can reach deep into the negatives, and the winter night can last for months. But these seemingly barren landscapes are home to a rich diversity of wildlife - both on land and under the sea surface—that has evolved to survive these harsh conditions.
The animals of Antarctica
Find below a list of the most important species that our polar experts have helped map. Click on each species to learn more about its habitat and where you might be able to see it onboard one of our Polar Expedition Cruises.
Wildlife in Antarctica
Marked by harsh temperatures and savage terrain, Antarctica is home to a rich diversity of wildlife that inhabits the towering glaciers, mountains, bays, fjord, pebble beaches, and rugged coastlines. Here you can witness the majestic beauty of whales that migrate from afar — orca, humpback, sperm, mink, and fin whales depending on the season — off the Ross Sea and near the shore waters around the Antarctic Peninsula. The ice-covered terrain and rugged coastlines of Antarctica offer up wild encounters with an array of seal species: Antarctica fur leopard, Ross, Southern Elephant, Crabeater, and Weddell seals.
Birdwatching is a personal highlight for our guides, from the adorable tuxedo-clad Adélie and the Macaroni penguin with its comically large bushy eyebrows. Look up to the sky and spot flocks of seabirds flying overhead in the Southern Ocean from albatrosses and petrels as they circle the sub-zero waters. But the real prize inhabits Snow Hill Island where one of the world’s largest colonies of Emperor penguins reside, the only Antarctic animal to breed during the harsh winters.
Learn more about Wildlife in Antarctica in our Video Expert Talks
Polartours Ambassador Kevin has recorded a number of Expert Talk Videos, ranging from topics such as "Packing List" to "The Antarctic Peninsula". You can find all clips on Polartours, when you navigate through the animals, destinations or FAQs. Or, you can visit our YouTube Channel to find all videos in one spot!
Download Polar Guidebook
To give you a taste of what our tours are all about, our polar experts have created a fascinating guidebook about the Arctic and Antarctica. On over 80 pages, you'll find wholesome information on the Arctic Destinations, Wildlife and helpful tips on how to plan your trip.
Threats to Wildlife in Antarctica
CLIMATE CHANGE: Climate change is already altering habitats all around the world. The Polar Regions have warmed by nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit since 1900, and continues to warm two to three times faster than the average for the rest of the world. The summer ice cover is shrinking, permafrost is melting and coastlines have been exposed to erosion, reducing its Albedo effect and hence reinforcing the warming. In the Arctic, animals such as polar bears and walruses are losing habitat. Sea ice is also disappearing in Antarctica, where its loss threatens to wipe out the penguin species that live there.
OVERFISHING: Around the world, humans are taking fish out of the water faster than fish can reproduce and be replaced. With sea ice decreasing, fishing in the Arctic is becoming an issue of increasing interest. In the Barents Sea, a relatively undisturbed area north of Norway and Russia, overfishing has led to a decline of fish species and threatened the future of important fisheries such as cod.
POLLUTION: Pollutants from human activities tend to make their way to polar regions, transported via ocean currents, migratory birds and other means. Marine debris, which can entangle wildlife, may stick around for long periods as the region’s extended, dark and cold winters inhibit the breakdown of chemicals. In addition, toxic contaminants become concentrated as they move up the food chain—a process called biomagnification—and are highest in top predators, such as polar bears. At the very top of the food chain, humans are also exposed to high levels of these toxins in traditional Arctic foods.
OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT: The Arctic holds some of the world’s largest untapped oil and gas reserves, but getting to those precious resources—whether on land or offshore—can have devastating environmental impacts. Infrastructure for these development projects can destroy habitat, fragment migration routes, and drain freshwater resources. And when something goes wrong and an oil spill occurs, Arctic wildlife can be killed and habitat contaminated for years.The Arctic holds some of the world’s largest untapped oil and gas reserves, but getting to those precious resources—whether on land or offshore—can have devastating environmental impacts. Infrastructure for these development projects can destroy habitat, fragment migration routes, and drain freshwater resources. And when something goes wrong and an oil spill occurs, Arctic wildlife can be killed and habitat contaminated for years.
Why protecting wildlife in Antarctica matters so much
RICH IN WILDLIFE: Polar landscapes are home to a rich diversity of wildlife, both on land and within the seas. Polar animals have evolved to survive life in the deep cold.
MIGRATING ANIMALS: Some animals, such as birds and whales, migrate long distances each summer, drawn by the abundant food supply or ideal nesting grounds in the Arctic.
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE TIED TO THE LANDSCAPE: Millions of people live in the Arctic, including many indigenous peoples whose ancestors first came to the area thousands of years ago and who still depend on the native landscape and wildlife for their livelihoods. Click here to learn about ivory in the Arctic.
