Antarctic Animals Text

Believe it or not!

 

We often think of Polar bears and wolves living in the ice and snow, however these animals only live in the North Pole, and are not found in Antarctica.

The Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri is it’s Scientific name) is a penguin that lives in Antarctica. It is the tallest and heaviest penguin. They are the only birds that can lay their eggs on ice. Emperor penguins spend their entire lives in Antarctica where temperatures can drop to as low as -60°C. Brrrr. These birds are super swimmers and impressive divers.Antarctic waters are home to many species of whale. Lot’s of whales swim past or though Antarctica to feed on fish and krill. The Blue whale is one of these whales which grow to be about 30 meters long.

The Antarctic Fur seal lives further south than any other fur seal. This polar species feeds on fish, squid, and small creatures called krill in the icy waters off Antarctica.

 

The Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is the second largest species of seal in the Antarctic (after the Southern Elephant Seal). It is most common in the southern hemisphere along the coast of Antarctica and on most sub-Antarctic islands. 

Elephant and Leopard seals spend upwards of 80% of their lives in the ocean. They can hold their breath for more than 100 minutes

Believe it or not!

 

We often think of Polar bears and wolves living in the ice and snow, however these animals only live in the North Pole, and are not found in Antarctica.

 

 

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