Snowy, cold and inhospitable. Only the toughest survive in this environment where food seems scarce. But is Antarctica really as hostile to life as it first appears? The answer is yes and no at the same time. There is almost no food on land and few ice-free areas. The landmass of the Antarctic continent is lonely and rarely visited by living beings.
Most of the Antarctic animals live near the coasts
The coasts, on the other hand, belong to the animals of Antarctica and are populated by many animal species: seabirds nest, various species of penguins raise their young and seals frolic on ice floes. The sea provides food in abundance. Whales, seals, birds, fish and squid eat around 250 tons of Antarctic krill every year. An unimaginable amount of food. So it's no wonder that Antarctica is populated mainly by marine animals and seabirds. Some go on land temporarily, but all are tied to the water. The Antarctic waters themselves are incredibly rich in species: more than 8000 animal species are known.
Leopard seal portrait (Hydrurga leptonyx) in Antarctica.
Birds, mammals and other inhabitants of Antarctica
Penguins of Antarctica – The heraldic animal!
When people think of Antarctic wildlife, the first thing that comes to mind is penguins. They are the symbol of the white wonderland, the typical animals of Antarctica. The emperor penguin is probably the best-known animal species on the Antarctic continent and the only one that breeds directly on ice. However, its breeding colonies are extremely difficult to access. Adélie penguins are also widespread around Antarctica, but breed close to the coast and are therefore easier to observe. They may not be as large as their more well-known relative, but they are just as cuddly. They prefer ice-free coastal strips with plenty of pack ice. Emperor penguins and Adélie penguins are true ice lovers and the only ones that breed on the main part of the seventh continent.
Chinstrap penguins and gentoo penguins breed on the Antarctic Peninsula. Furthermore, a colony of golden-crested penguins is reported, which also nests on the peninsula. So there are 5 species of penguins on the Antarctic continent. The king penguin is not included, as it only comes to hunt on the coasts of Antarctica in winter. Its breeding area is the sub-Antarctic, for example the sub-Antarctic island South Georgia. Rockhopper penguins also live in sub-Antarctica, but not on the Antarctic continent.
These articles provide more information about Antarctic penguins:
Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) with chicks in Antarctica.Gentoo penguins in the ice of Antarctic SoundChinstrap penguin on Halfmoon Island – Animal Encyclopedia of Antarctic animalsAdelie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) in Antarctica with lumps of ice
According to the Federal Environment Agency, around 25 other bird species live on the Antarctic Peninsula, in addition to the much-cited penguins. Skuas, giant petrels and white-faced waxbills are common sights on an Antarctic voyage. They like to steal penguin eggs and can also be dangerous to the chicks. The largest and most famous bird is the albatross. Several species of these imposing birds occur around Antarctica. And even a species of cormorant has found its home in the Cold South.
Three bird species have even been spotted at the South Pole itself: the snow petrel, the Antarctic petrel, and a species of skuas. These can therefore be confidently called Antarctic animals. Penguins do not exist there, as the South Pole is too far from the life-giving ocean. The emperor penguin and the snow petrel are the only vertebrates that actually spend extended periods inland in Antarctica.
The emperor penguin breeds on solid sea ice or inland ice, up to 200 kilometers from the ocean. The snow petrel lays its eggs on ice-free mountain peaks, venturing up to 100 kilometers inland to do so. The Arctic tern holds another record: it flies around 30.000 kilometers per year! The Arctic tern is the migratory bird with the longest flight distance in the world! It breeds in Greenland and flies between Arctic and Antarctic back and forth!
Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) in flight.Skua next to a penguin carcass.Giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) in flight.White-faced Buckbeak on the Antarctic Peninsula.
The dog seal family is represented by several species in Antarctica: Weddell seals, leopard seals, crabeater seals and the rare Ross seal are typical animals of Antarctica. They hunt on the Antarctic coast and give birth to their young on ice floes. The impressive southern elephant seals are also dog seals. They are the largest seals in the world. Although they are typical inhabitants of the subarctic, they are also found in Antarctic waters.
The Antarctic fur seal is a species of eared seal. It is primarily at home on the sub-Antarctic islands. But sometimes he is also a guest on the coasts of the white continent. The Antarctic fur seal is also known as the fur seal.
Eye contact with a Weddell seal in the ice of Antarctica.Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) with open mouth.Fur Seal perched on a rock with the glacier in the background.A young male elephant seal in subantarctica.
What is the largest animal in Antarctica? Whales in Antarctica
The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth. Blue whales visit the Antarctic to feed. In addition to blue whales, many other whale species also feed in Antarctic waters. They all take advantage of the region's abundant food supply. The Federal Environment Agency states that 14 whale species regularly occur in the Southern Ocean. These include baleen whales (e.g. humpback whales, fin whales, blue whales and minke whales), as well as toothed whales (e.g. Orcas, sperm whales, and various dolphin species). The best time for whale watching in Antarctica is February and March. Besides whales, seals are the only mammals in Antarctica.
Humpback and fin whales in the Southern OceanThree humpback whales migrate through Antarctic waters.Back and blowholes of a fin whale in the Southern Ocean
Antarctica is more biodiverse than you might think. Penguins, seabirds, seals, and whales are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. Antarctica's greatest biodiversity is underwater. Around 200 species of fish, a vast biomass of crustaceans, 70 cephalopods, and other marine creatures such as echinoderms, cnidarians, and sponges live there.
By far the most famous cephalopod in Antarctica is the giant squid. The giant squid is the largest mollusk in the world. By far the most important species in the Antarctic underwater world, however, is Antarctic krill. These small, shrimp-like crustaceans form huge swarms and are the food source for many Antarctic animals. Starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers are also found in these cold regions.
The diversity of cnidarians ranges from giant jellyfish with meter-long tentacles to tiny colony-forming life forms that form corals. Even the world's oldest living creature lives in this seemingly hostile environment: The giant sponge Anoxycalyx joubini is thought to be up to 10.000 years old. There's still much to discover. Marine biologists are still documenting numerous unexplored creatures, both large and small, of the icy underwater world.
Penguins and seals are, by definition, aquatic animals. And the flying seabirds primarily stay above the sea. So, are there animals in Antarctica that only live on land? Yes, a very special insect. The endemic wingless midge, Belgica antarctica, has adapted to the extreme conditions of the icy world of Antarctica.
Its tiny genome is a sensation in scientific circles, but this insect has a lot to offer in other ways too. Subzero temperatures, drought, and salt water—all no problem. The mosquito produces a powerful antifreeze and can also survive dehydration of 70 percent of its body fluids. As a larva, it lives for two years in and on the ice. It feeds on algae, bacteria, and penguin feces. The adult insect has 2 days to mate and lay eggs before dying.
This tiny flightless mosquito actually holds the record as the largest permanent land resident of the Antarctic continent. Otherwise, there are other microorganisms in the Antarctic soil, such as nematodes, mites and springtails. A rich microcosm can be found particularly where the soil has been fertilized by bird droppings.
More exciting information about Antarctic wildlife
What animals are there not in Antarctica?
There are no land mammals, no reptiles, and no amphibians in Antarctica. There are no predators on land, so Antarctic wildlife reacts unusually calmly to visitors. Of course, there are no polar bears in Antarctica either; these impressive predators are found only in the Arctic. Penguins and polar bears can therefore never meet in nature.
Most animal species live in the Southern Ocean, i.e. in the Antarctic waters around Antarctica. But where on the Antarctic continent are the most animals? On the coasts. And which ones? The Vestfold Mountains, for example, are an ice-free area in East Antarctica. Southern elephant seals like to visit their coastal region and Adelie penguins use the ice-free zone for breeding. the Antarctic Peninsula However, on the edge of West Antarctica, it is home to by far the most animal species on the seventh continent.
In addition, there are numerous Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands surrounding the Antarctic landmass. These are also seasonally inhabited by animals. Some species are even more common there than on the Antarctic continent itself. Examples of interesting sub-Antarctic islands include: South Shetland Islands in the Southern Ocean Animal paradise South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, that Kerguelen Archipelago in the Indian Ocean and the Auckland Islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Penguins of the Antarctic have adapted to life in the cold through numerous small things. For example, they have specially insulating types of feathers, thick skin, a generous layer of fat, and a habit of protecting each other in large groups from the wind when it's cold to reduce their heat loss. The feet of the penguins are particularly exciting, because special adaptations in the blood vessel system enable the penguins to maintain their body temperature despite cold feet. Learn in Adaptation of Penguins to Antarctica more about why penguins need cold feet and what tricks nature has come up with for this.
The Antarctic seals have also adapted perfectly to life in the icy water. The best example is the Weddell seal. She looks incredibly fat and has every reason to be, because the thick layer of fat is her life insurance. The so-called blubber has a strong insulating effect and enables the seal to dive long into the ice-cold water of the Southern Ocean. This is important because the animals live more under the ice than on the ice. Find out in the article Antarctic seals, how Weddell seals keep their breathing holes clear and what is so special about their milk.
Detailed photo of the feet of a gentoo penguin on the ice of the Antarctic Peninsula. How do penguins survive in Antarctica?Weddell seal on the beach of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Even in Antarctica there are parasites
Even in Antarctica there are animals that live at the expense of their hosts. For example, parasitic roundworms. The roundworms that attack seals are of a different species than those that attack whales, for example. Penguins are also plagued by nematodes. Crustaceans, squid, and fish serve as intermediate or transport hosts.
Ectoparasites also occur. There are animal lice that specialize in seals. These pests are very exciting from a biological point of view. Some seal species can dive to depths of 600 meters and the lice have managed to adapt to survive these dives. A remarkable achievement.
Tourists can also discover Antarctica on an expedition ship, for example on the Sea Spirit. Explore the lonely realm of cold with Magazine.Travel Antarctic Travel Guide.
Antarctica's wildlife is fascinating and unique, characterized by extreme conditions. Typical of this is the iconic inhabitants of the ice and ocean, as well as the smaller, but ecologically immensely important creatures. One immediately thinks of penguins such as Emperor, Adélie, or Gentoo penguins, which breed on land and are excellent swimmers. Equally distinctive are various Seal species such as leopard seals, Weddell seals and elephant seals, which are adapted to the icy waters. The surrounding seas are also rich in whales, including humpback whales, orcas, fin whales and minke whales, which come to Antarctic waters to feed. In addition to these larger and well-known animals, there are also numerous Sea birds such as albatrosses and petrels as well as tiny but fundamental organisms such as Krill absolutely typical for the Antarctic ecosystem. Krill forms the food basis for a large proportion of the larger animal species. Even specialized fish species, which have adapted to the icy temperatures, are part of the typical fauna of Antarctica. Thus, both the charismatic large animals and the less conspicuous but systemically important species are equally typical of the impressive animal world of this continent.
What animals can you see in Antarctica?
Antarctica is home to a fascinating variety of marine animals and seabirds. These include iconic species such as various penguin species (e.g., emperor, Adélie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins), seals (such as Weddell seals, leopard seals, and elephant seals), and whales (including humpback whales, fin whales, orcas, and minke whales). Numerous seabirds such as albatrosses, petrels, and skuas inhabit Antarctic waters and coasts.
What is the largest animal in Antarctica?
The answer to this question depends on how you define “largest,” because there are several superlatives in Antarctica: In absolute terms (by size and weight): The largest animal in Antarctica – and even in the world – is the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), especially the Antarctic blue whale. These majestic marine mammals reach lengths of up to 30 meters and weigh well over 100 tons. Largest land animal (living permanently on the continent): Here a tiny creature holds the record: the wingless mosquito belgium antarcticaAt just a few millimeters long, it is the largest animal that spends its entire life cycle on land on the Antarctic continent and is adapted to the extreme conditions. Largest flying bird: The Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans), with the largest wingspan of any living bird (over 3 meters), is found in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions. Largest predator (carnivore): The Killer whale (Orca) (Orcinus orca) is the largest predatory toothed whale and an apex predator in Antarctic waters. Thus, we can say: The largest animal im Antarctic area (sea) is the blue whale, while the largest animal or on theAntarctic continent (land) is the mosquito Belgica antarctica – depending on your point of view.
Who all lives in Antarctica?
Antarctica is home to both fascinating animals and temporary humans. On the one hand, it is home to a unique fauna perfectly adapted to extreme conditions, such as penguins, seals, whales, and numerous seabirds, as well as diverse marine and terrestrial invertebrates. On the other hand, there is no indigenous or permanently resident human population; instead, Antarctica is seasonally inhabited by scientists, researchers, and support staff at research stations, as well as tourists.
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Sources
Source reference for text research
Information on site by the expedition team from Grönon Expeditions or on the Cruise ship Sea Spirit, as well as personal experiences on the expedition cruise from Ushuaia via the South Shetland Islands, the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Falklands to Buenos Aires in March 2022.
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What animals are there not in Antarctica?
What animals are there not in Antarctica?
