Life in the Polar Regions

by Oceanwide Expeditions Blog

Polar bears in the Arctic, penguins in Antarctica. That's all there is to it, right? Well, actually, no. There's a lot more to it. Though there appears to be less life in the polar regions than, say, anywhere else you can think of or imagine, there are in fact highly complex ecosystems within both the Arctic and Antarctica.

Regions: Antarctica, Arctic

The particulars of life in the polar regions

Polar bears in the Arctic, penguins in Antarctica.

That's all there is to it, right?

Well, actually, no. There's a lot more to it.

Though there appears to be less life in the polar regions than, say, anywhere else you can think of or imagine, there are in fact highly complex ecosystems within both the Arctic and Antarctica. 

And if you're a wildlife lover like us, these ecosystems will give you much to admire.

Life in the Arctic

No doubt about it, the Arctic Ocean can be a hostile, stormy, brutally cold place. 

Nevertheless, it is teeming with life: humpback whales, minke whales, orcas (killer whales), narwhals, beluga whales, blue whales, sperm whales (nearer to Norway) and many other large sea mammals coexist in its deeper waters.

Meanwhile, toward the shallows of the shore (as well as inland) you can find walruses, multiple species of seal, and polar bears.

Providing food for the top Arctic predators is a complex food chain of plankton, fish, seabirds, and smaller land mammals: Arctic hares, Arctic foxes, and as mentioned, seals.

But even the largest animal the polar regions ultimately relies upon phytoplankton.

Small photosynthetic organisms that make up the foundation of the marine life food web, phytoplankton convert the energy from sunlight into chemical energy and store it as sugars, which is nutrient for larger life forms - namely, krill.

Phytoplankton feed krill, which in turn feed whales. 

Life in Antarctica

Compared to the Arctic, which includes the vast terrestrial territories of two continents, most of Antarctica's wildlife is centered around the sea - or along the extensive, icy shorelines.

This makes phytoplankton quite important to Antarctic animals.

During the Southern Hemisphere or austral summer (December - March), the extended hours of daylight in Antarctica allow phytoplankton to thrive.

In the winter, phytoplankton become trapped in the ice and grow on the underside of it, which affords krill food enough to survive until spring.

Once spring arrives in Antarctica, ice melts and creates a population boom of phytoplankton in open water.

This boom allows krill to multiply at astounding rates, which then allows whales, seals, and penguins to have a more or less steady food source.

The exact same process takes place in the Arctic.

And indeed, many of the same species of whale (except belugas) can be seen in Antarctica as in the Arctic, added to which are southern right whales, fin whales, and sei whales.

Antarctica is also home to seven species of penguin, four of which live on the Antarctic Continent (Adélie, emperor, chinstrap, gentoo) and three that live on the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic islands (king, macaroni, rockhopper).

Seeing wildlife in the polar regions 

Though the polar regions are highly variable in terms of weather, ice conditions, and consequently wildlife, getting the chance to see these exotic ecosystems is as simple as booking an Arctic trip vs. an Antarctica trip.

Arctic hotspots include Svalbard, northeast Greenland, and North Norway.

And at the other end of the planet, key Antarctic destinations include the Antarctic Peninsula, Weddell Sea, and seldom-visited Ross Sea.

Nobody can guarantee you'll see everything you want, of course, since nature calls the shots in the polar regions. But just being there is an experience in itself, and if you're lucky enough to see a surfacing blue whale or sauntering polar bear too, that's all the better!

Related cruises

East Greenland - Scoresby Sund - Iceland, Aurora Borealis, Fly & Sail

Experience the northern lights on Earth’s largest fjord

RVR15-24 Sail through Earth’s largest fjord system on a historic three-masted vessel, getting the chance to encounter exotic Arctic wildlife like musk oxen and Arctic hares under the enchanting aurora borealis. Greenland whales may also appear between landing...

s/v Rembrandt Van Rijn

s/v Rembrandt van Rijn

Cruise date:

28 Sep - 9 Oct, 2024

Berths start from:

6650 USD

Northeast Iceland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Hike & Sail - Incl. bus back up
Up to $250 OFF Free transfer

Northeast Iceland Explorer, Aurora Borealis, Hike & Sail - Incl. bus back up

Experience Iceland’s remote and breathtaking fjords, harbors, and inlands at an exceptional time of year

RVR16-24 Northern and eastern Iceland are characterized by small villages, dramatic coastlines, narrow fjords, waterfalls, geothermal areas, volcanoes, and mountains. We are in the heart of nature here, and the scenery is breathtaking. This destination offers...

s/v Rembrandt Van Rijn

s/v Rembrandt van Rijn

Cruise date:

9 Oct - 15 Oct, 2024

Berths start from:

on request

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica
Up to $8500 OFF

Falkland Islands - South Georgia - Antarctica

Meet at least six penguin species!

PLA20-24 A cruise to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia & the Antarctic Peninsula. Visit some of the most beautiful arrays of wildlife on Earth. This journey will introduce you to at least 6 species of penguin and a whole lot of Antarctic fur seals!

m/v Plancius

m/v Plancius

Cruise date:

18 Oct - 7 Nov, 2024

Berths start from:

6650 USD

Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, photo workshop, mountaineering
Up to $6050 OFF

Antarctica - Basecamp - free camping, kayaking, snowshoe/hiking, photo workshop, mountaineering

The best activity voyage in Antarctica

HDS21a24 The Antarctic Peninsula Basecamp cruise offers you a myriad of ways to explore and enjoy the Antarctic Region. This expedition allows you to hike, snowshoe, kayak, go mountaineering, and even camp out under the Southern Polar skies.

m/v Hondius

m/v Hondius

Cruise date:

1 Nov - 13 Nov, 2024

Berths start from:

4400 USD

Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, incl. helicopters
Up to $2400 OFF

Weddell Sea – In search of the Emperor Penguin, incl. helicopters

Searching for the Elusive Emperor Penguins

OTL22-24 A true expedition, our Weddell Sea cruise sets out to explore the range of the Emperor Penguins near Snow Hill Island. We will visit the area via helicopter and see a variety of other birds and penguins including Adélies and Gentoos.

m/v Ortelius

m/v Ortelius

Cruise date:

10 Nov - 20 Nov, 2024

Berths start from:

9700 USD

Loading