101 Facts... Polar Animals! Polar Animal Books for Kids (101 Animal Facts Book 9)

Antarctic Animals - Insects The Antarctic winged midge is the only winged insect found in Antarctica. It was only discovered in 1990 and is still being researched. However, it has been determined that it has a supercooling ability, the ability to lower its body temperature even below the freezing point, without freezing. 51

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Midge (Belgica Antarctic) by Tasteofcrayons The Belgica antarctica is a flightless midge in Antarctica. Its flightlessness is believed to be an adaptation to prevent it from being blown away by strong winds. Amazingly, it can survive dehydration of up to thirty-five percent of its original body weight, as well as the freezing of its body fluids. 53

Antarctic Animals - Mammals There are only two dolphins found in Antarctic waters. One of them is the hourglass dolphin, which gets its name from the white patches on its black back that are connected by a thin white strip, loosely forming an hourglass shape. 54

Hourglass dolphins by Lomvi2 The southern right whale dolphin is the other, commonly found swimming with hourglass dolphins. It has no dorsal fin and is a fairly active swimmer, leaping gracefully out of the water every now and then and even performing somersaults in the air. 55

Various species of seal can also be found in the Antarctic. One is the Antarctic fur seal – ninety-five percent of its population can be found on the island of South Georgia, which is the largest group of marine mammals in the world. Antarctic fur seal by brian.gratwicke 56

The crabeater seal, the most abundant seal species in the world, is also widely distributed on the Antarctic coast. In spite of their name, crabeater seals eat mostly krill, and have teeth with multiple cusps that are especially designed for sieving and trapping them. Young crabeater seals are the most playful of all young seals in the Antarctic. They gather in thousands and then swim, jump and dive all at the same time. The leopard seal is one of the top predators in Antarctica, feeding on penguins, seabirds and other seals. It has also been known to attack humans, attempting to drag researchers off the ice and drag divers deep underwater. They even attack researcher’s inflatable boats! 57

Leopard seal hanging with a crabeater by marriedwithluggage The Ross seal is the smallest of the Antarctic seals, with males growing less than 7 feet (2.1 meters) long and females growing only a little over 8 feet (2.4 meters) long. It has large eyes and is known for its siren-like sounds which travel over long distances. Interestingly, 58

these sounds are made without the seal opening its mouth. The southern elephant seal is the largest seal and the largest living carnivorous mammal: the males are able to grow up to 19 feet (5.8 meters) long and weigh up to 8800 pounds (3992 kilograms) – that’s even heavier than an adult walrus or a fully grown polar bear. Males are about five to six times larger than females, which is one of the greatest differences among mammals. 59

These alpha males elephant seals battle over territory by mikebaird Southern elephant seals can stay on land for long periods of time – up to three months without eating, simply surviving off their thick blubber. When in the water, they dive repeatedly and do not linger on the surface, diving to depths of over 3000 feet (914 meters) to feed on squid, 60

fish and crustaceans. The deepest dive made by an air- breathing mammal that was not a whale was recorded by a southern elephant seal – 6998 feet (2133 meters)! The Weddell seal is the best-studied Antarctic seal, mainly because it can be easily approached by humans. It has a cat-like face with an upturned mouth that gives the appearance that it is smiling. During the summer, Weddell seals spend most of their time on land, lying on their sides as they bask in the sun. During winter, they stay in the ocean to avoid blizzards, with only their heads poking out. They can hold their breath under water for up to 80 minutes. Whales are also abundant in the Antarctic. The blue whale is the largest animal ever to exist, at 98 feet 30 meters) long and 160 tons (145 metric tons). In fact, before it was hunted extensively by whalers, it was most abundant in the Antarctic, where its population numbered over 300,000. Because of its size, the blue whale also has the longest tongue of any animal, and the largest mouth, able to hold as much food as the equivalent of the weight of 10 buses! It cannot swallow an object larger than a beach ball, 61

though, because of the way its mouth is structured, which is why it feeds mostly on krill. Humpback whale with a blue whale by mikebaird Humpback whales spend their summer in Antarctic waters where they feed on krill and fish, then migrate in winter to tropical waters to breed and give birth. Each humpback whale has a unique pattern on its tail fluke, by which it can be distinguished. Humpback whales are known for being vocal and the males, in particular, are known for their “songs”. These songs, which typically last from 10 to 20 minutes, are composed of several sounds which vary in amplitude and frequency, with whales in a certain area all singing the 62

same song. Southern right whales stay in the cool waters around Antarctica all year long, unable to survive in tropical waters because of their thick blubber. Like other right whales, they have patches of white on their skin which is the result of the infestation of white lice. 63

Southern Right Whale by nestor galina The spectacled porpoise is the only porpoise found in Antarctic waters, which is probably why it is rarely seen. It has a large dorsal fin and no beak but is still able to hunt squid and fish effectively. 64

Arctic Animals - Birds The Atlantic puffin breeds in Iceland, Norway, Greenland and many islands in the Arctic Circle. Its bill, which is especially colorful during breeding season, and its waddling gait have given it the nickname “clown of the sea”. 65

Puffin caught in flight by Stig Nygaard If the south polar skua is a villain in the Antarctic, the Arctic skua is the pirate of the Arctic, stealing from gulls and terns, which it constantly harasses, and feeding on smaller birds. Like other skuas, it will fiercely defend its nest, attacking anyone who approaches. 66

The Arctic tern has the longest regular migration route of any animal. Every year, it travels from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back, covering a distance of nearly 45,000 miles (72,420 kilometers). 67

Arctic tern by brian.gratwicke The barnacle goose gets its name from an old legend, which said that the birds were born in the water, starting out as barnacles. In truth, barnacle geese are born on the Arctic islands, particularly on cliffs. After they are born, their parents do not bring them food. Instead, they must go down to the ground to eat, jumping off the cliff. In the process, many get injured and die. 68

Barnacle Goose by Stefan Berndtsson The common raven can be found all across the northern hemisphere, even in the Arctic Circle. It is considered one of the most intelligent birds, able to solve problems in captivity and manipulate other animals into doing things for them in the wild, such as calling wolves to the site of a dead animal so that the wolves will open the carcass, allowing the raven to get the meat inside. It is also known to steal shiny objects simply out of curiosity. 69

Raven Symmetry by ingridtaylar Crested auklets get their name from the crests – the feathers that stick out from their forehead – that they 70

develop during the breeding season. In addition, they produce a certain odor which has been described as the smell of tangerines. The gyrfalcon is the largest of all falcons. It is the national bird of Iceland and was once the favorite bird of European kings and nobles, Egyptian sultans and Vikings. 71

Gyrfalcon by dfaulder The red-throated loon is the smallest loon, only 2 feet (61 centimeters) long at most, and is also the most widely distributed loon, though it breeds primarily in the Arctic. It is quite clumsy on land but is the only loon that can take off directly from the ground. 72

Red-throated loon by USFWS Headquarters The rock ptarmigan is white in winter, which it spends in the Arctic, and brown in summer. Male rock ptarmigans 73

have a comb on their heads and studies show that females prefer males with larger combs. Rock Ptarmigan by Jan Frode Haugseth 74

The snow bunting is the northernmost-living of all songbirds. Its feet are covered with feathers, an adaptation to its cold environment. The snowy owl is one of the heaviest owl species found north of the Arctic Circle. It is well-adapted to life there, having thick, white feathers, plenty of body fat and feathered feet. Snowy owls are able to swallow small prey whole, regurgitating the parts it cannot digest, such as bones and fur, into pellets after 18 to 24 hours. 75

Snowy Owl by Will Thomas The thick-billed murre is believed to be a close relative of the now-extinct great auk. It is black and white, with its lower face black in summer and white in winter. During breeding, thick-billed murres form vast colonies on steep cliffs which face the ocean, with females laying a single egg on the bare rock. Interestingly, the survival rate of the chick depends on the experience of its parents, 76

since experienced breeders choose more protected nesting sites and feed their chicks more. Common Murre Feeding by GregTheBusker If the smallest loon can be found in the Arctic, the largest loon, the yellow-billed loon, can be found there, as well. It can grow up to 38 inches (97 centimeters) long and eats mostly fish, which it catches with its beak while diving. 77

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Arctic Animals - Fish & Other Sea Animals The Atlantic cod normally matures in four years, but in the cold Arctic waters, it takes up to eight. It can grow up to 6.5 feet (2 meters) long and can swim fast – up to 21 inches (53 centimeters) per second – but tends to swim slower in colder waters in order to preserve energy. 79

The Atlantic cod by Kennyannydenny No other freshwater fish can be found as far north as the Arctic char, which is common in Scandinavia, the 80

Canadian Arctic, Siberia and the Alps. In spring and summer, Arctic char feed on insects and salmon eggs while in autumn and winter, they feed on plankton and shrimp. It also practices cannibalism, feeding on other Arctic char when food is scarce. The Arctic lamprey is a jawless fish found all over the Arctic region. Those that migrate are parasitic, sucking the blood of other fishes, while those that do not migrate eat algae. The Greenland shark lives farther north than any other shark. It is a large shark, almost as large as the Great White, with a maximum length of 24 feet (7.3 meters). It is also long-lived – some say it can live for up to 200 years! The Greenland shark’s meat is poisonous, containing a toxin that produces the same effect as extreme drunkenness, with most who eat it unable to stand afterwards. It can, however, be eaten after boiling several times or after drying for several months. 81

A rare image of a Greenland shark by NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program The lion’s mane jellyfish is the largest jellyfish, with a body that is 7 feet 6 inches (2.3 meters) in diameter and tentacles that grow up to 120 feet (36.6 meters) long. It can only be found in the cold waters of the Arctic where it remains just 50 feet (15.3 meters) below the surface. While it has been known to sting, its stings are not fatal and are easily treated. 82

The northern pike is a long, olive green fish found in the northern hemisphere. It normally feeds on other fish but when food is scarce, it will feed on smaller fish of its own kind. Sometimes, a large pike will even feed on other pikes in its area just so it can monopolize prey. The northern prawn is a shrimp found on the muddy bottoms of cold waters. It starts out male but after a year or two, turns female - living the rest of its 8-year lifespan as a female. Pink salmon are bright silver fish – the pink in their name comes from the color of their meat – which turns grey after spawning. On the way to spawning streams, male pink salmon get a hump just in front of their dorsal fin, earning the pink salmon its nickname, “humpback salmon”. The slimy sculpin is a nocturnal fish which spends most of its time on the rocky bottom of cold freshwater habitats, probably because it is a poor swimmer, lacking a swim bladder. When the water becomes acidic, it becomes less active and has a lower rate of reproduction, making its population a good indicator of acidity levels in a body of water. 83

Arctic Animals - Insects The Arctic bumblebee plays a major role in the pollination of plants in the Arctic. It is covered in thick fur, which prevents it from losing body heat, and has a higher abdominal temperature than its relatives in warmer areas. The Arctic white butterfly thrives in the cold Arctic climate. It is a small butterfly with white wings, which survives the cold winter by wrapping itself in a cocoon. 84

Bumblebee by USFWS Headquarters The Arctic woolly bear caterpillar is well-adapted to cold environments, able to withstand temperatures as low as 85

76 degrees Fahrenheit (60 Celsius) below zero. It spends about ninety percent of its life frozen, and five percen feeding and five percent in summer hibernation inside a protective cocoon. 86

Arctic Animals -Mammals The Arctic fox, or snow fox, has a short muzzle, short legs and short ears that prevent body heat from escaping. It also has furry paws to walk on the snow and thick fur on the rest of its body, which is white in winter and brown in summer. Arctic foxes can have as many as twenty-five kits in a litter, which is the most number of young among all carnivorous mammals. Both of the parents care for the young but even so, many do not survive the first few months due to the cold, lack of food or predation. 87

Arctic Fox by Mark Dumont The Arctic ground squirrel is a burrowing rodent which hibernates in winter, during which it can reduce its body temperature to as low as 27 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 Celsius). It feeds on grasses, seeds and fungi, sometimes bringing the food back to its den in its cheek pouches. 88

The Arctic hare is among the largest hares, growing up to 28 inches (71 centimeters) long, but has relatively short ears that are an adaptation to the cold. It has a sharp sense of smell, able to sniff out twigs under the snow. 89

Arctic Hare by USFWS Headquarters The Arctic shrew is tri-colored, having dark brown, light brown and black fur, which is brighter and thicker in winter. It is a solitary animal, so much so that in captivity, when two Arctic shrews are placed together in a cage, one of them just dies from the interaction. It does not burrow, but lies on the ground with its body rolled up. The Arctic wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf, the only subspecies that is not threatened but remains abundant in its original range, due to minimal contact with humans. Amazingly, it can survive in freezing temperature for years, and in absolute darkness for five months per year. 90

Arctic Wolf by tsaiproject The killer whale, which is actually the largest dolphin and not a whale, can be found in waters all over the world but is especially abundant in the Arctic. It gets its name from the fact that it is a fearsome predator, using its excellent eyesight and hearing to hunt seals, fish and 91

gulls, and even sharks and walruses, and have even been found with moose in their stomachs! Lemmings are Arctic rodents which serve as important prey for various animals, such as Arctic foxes, Arctic wolves and snowy owls. During winter, they do not hibernate but continue looking for food or eating what they have managed to store. Lemmings are prolific breeders. The Norway lemming, in particular, is able to reproduce just a month after birth and can breed all year round, producing a litter of six to eight young every three or four weeks. Muskox get their name from the musk they produce during mating season, but are better known for their thick coat which reaches the ground. The coat is made into wool called qiviut, which is highly prized for its softness and warmth, costing up to $80 per ounce (28 grams). The polar bear is one of the largest bears in the world. It remains white all year round but yellows with age. Its blubber can grow up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) thick, providing it with plenty of warmth under its thick fur. In fact, the polar bear is so good at keeping itself warm that 92

it is prone to overheating – one reason why it loves to swim. Polar bears are excellent swimmers and spend most of their time in the water. They do their hunting on land, though, mostly stalking seals and sometimes, walruses. It is one of the few animals that, when absolutely necessary, can take on an adult walrus and kill it. Reindeer are abundant in the North Pole, which is probably how they became associated with Santa Claus. In most species, both males and females have antlers, with the males’ antlers being the second largest among all living deer, growing up to 53 inches (1.4 meters) long. 93

Reindeer by Marie Hale In 2011, a study showed that reindeer can see light way below the threshold that humans can see, their eyes 94

changing from gold to blue in the winter to better detect predators. Seals can be found in the Arctic as well as the Antarctic. Of the Arctic seals, the harp seal is the most famous. Harp seal pups are born white, allowing them to blend into the snow, and then turn gray after 12 days, after which they are left behind by their mothers to mate. They survive for the next weeks by staying still and conserving their body fat, only able to swim and find food after the ice melts. The bearded seal gets its name from its long whiskers which curl up when dry. Its whiskers are more than mere ornaments, though – they help the seal find clams, squid and fish across the ocean floor. The ringed seal is the smallest Arctic seal, and is an important source of food for polar bears and the indigenous people of the Arctic. They have one-inch (2.5- centimeter) thick claws which they use to make breathing holes through the ice. 95

Ringed seal on ice by greenland_com The stoat, or short-tailed weasel, has a brown coat in summer and a white coat in winter, which is thick and silky, as well. Sometimes, a stoat in its winter coat is called an ermine. It lives in burrows under the ground, 96

using the skins of the rodents it kills to line the nesting chamber. The walrus is a large marine mammal that can weigh up to 4400 pounds (1996 kilograms). It has long tusks, which are actually overgrown teeth, growing over 3 feet (0.9 meters) long. The walrus uses its tusks to form breathing holes in the ice and to help it climb onto the ice after swimming. Males also use their tusks in fighting for dominance, with the male having the longest tusks often being the most dominant. Walruses can sleep in the water because they have an air sac under their throats that enables them to float. They have nearly 6 inches (15 centimeters) of blubber to keep them warm in the water, and they are also able to constrict their blood vessels to preserve body heat, making them appear white when they are swimming. 97

Walrus on ice floe scouting by greenland_com The wolverine is the largest member of the weasel family. It has thick, oily fur which is resistant to water and frost, keeping it warm. It also has a special tooth at the back of its mouth which allows it to tear meat off frozen carrion. 98

The wolverine has a reputation as a fierce predator and scavenger, able to kill adult deer much larger than itself, as well as lynxes and wolf pups, and to steal kills from wolves and bears. When it manages to find food, it eats voraciously, hardly leaving anything behind. 99

Wolverine by Uusijani 100