Antarctica Wildlife

Antarctica is one of the world’s last frontiers, where the dramatic combines so well with grace and beauty. And unique among it all is Antarctica wildlife. It can be hard to imagine that somewhere within the white mountains, sweeping glaciers and icebergs there exists an array of sea birds and marine mammals which thrive in such inhospitable conditions.

Minke whales and seals are common as are the albatross, gentoo, chinstrap and other penguins. As an example of how well some animals survive here, it’s been estimated there are around 12 million chinstrap penguins, with an average life span of 15 to 20 years. Chinstrap penguins often live on large icebergs on the open ocean. For food they eat fish and krill, simply diving off the iceberg then hopping back on again. Chinstrap penguins are among the 17 species of penguins, all living in the Southern Hemisphere. Emperor penguins are the largest of the penguin family, and endure the worst breeding conditions of any bird. These penguins never attempt to settle on land, they choose ice naturally formed in the sea.

The entire area around Antarctica has been declared an international whale sanctuary. There are not many kinds of seabirds living south of the Antarctic Convergence, just 35 species in total. Among the seals are the leopard seals with their spotty coats, known for being hunters of the deep. Leopard seals are one of the top predators in Antarctic waters. They attack and eat other seals, penguins and fish, however about half their diet is the tiny krill.

Antarctica must be the most breathtaking polar diving location, boasting a rich marine invertebrate population.

Even though it’s calculated the Antarctic peninsula has experienced warming of 3C over the past 50 years, it is still an inhospitable place for plant, marine, or animal survival.

Even though it’s reckoned that there are more than 1,200 species in 50 different biological classes in the Antarctica area, the Belgica antarctica is considered the continent’s largest terrestrial animal. The Belgica antarctica is a species of flightless midge endemic to the continent of Antarctica. At 2–6 mm long, it is the largest purely terrestrial animal on the continent, as well as its only true insect.

If you come on an expedition to Antarctica, you will be sure to be impressed by the wonders of Antarctica wildlife.