How Arctic Wildlife Differs from Antarctic

by Cindy Trillo Blog

While there are definite similarities between the north and south poles, at the same time, the two regions are vastly different. Though both are cold and dry, each pole is unique in its terrain and climate. While the Antarctic is harsh and inhospitable, home to only two native vascular species of plants, the Arctic tundra can support a wider range of fauna with its warmer temperatures and a greater diversity of plant life. Here are just some of the different animals that you can expect to see in the Arctic as opposed to the Antarctic.

Regionen: Antarktis, Arktis

How Arctic Wildlife Differs from Antarctic

While there are definite similarities between the north and south poles, at the same time, the two regions are vastly different. Though both are cold and dry, each pole is unique in its terrain and climate. While the Antarctic is harsh and inhospitable, home to only two native vascular species of plants, the Arctic tundra can support a wider range of fauna with its warmer temperatures and a greater diversity of plant life. Here are just some of the different animals that you can expect to see in the Arctic as opposed to the Antarctic.

Animals in the Antarctic

About 98% of the south pole is covered in ice, making it difficult for life to survive on the majority of the continent. A lack of rivers and vegetation also makes the region fairly inhospitable, but it is still possible to view wildlife if you know where to look. Along warmer coastlines, densely populated colonies are able to thrive. There are very few herbivores thanks to the limited plant life, but there are plenty of creatures that feed in the sea and live on land. The most common Antarctic animals include: 

  • Emperor Penguins: The world’s largest penguin, this behemoth can stand up to four feet tall and weighs up to 90 pounds.
  • Southern Elephant Seals: These are also the largest of their kind. With males weighing up to 8,000 pounds and measuring as long as 15 feet, these beasts are bigger than any other seal.
  • Leopard Seals: These fierce predators are known for their distinctive spotted appearance and feed on fish, penguins, and even seal pups.

Life on the Arctic Tundra

Unlike the Antarctic, the Arctic is able to support a wide range of flora and fauna. This is thanks to the fact that instead of a sheet of ice, much of the region is covered in permafrost instead. This is a thick layer of subsurface layer of frozen soil, and while it prevents some plants from growing, many others are able to thrive in this environment. The tundra is treeless, but the land is home to almost 2,000 species of smaller shrubs, sedges, grasses, mosses and liverworts as well as alpine type flowering plants and lichens. There are also rivers that flow through the region to help support life. Thanks to its more forgiving climate, the Arctic boasts a very different range of animals than the Antarctic, including: 

  • Polar Bears: The largest bear on the planet, polar bears can weigh up to 1,500 pounds and feed mostly on seal populations.
  • Musk Ox: These grazing animals have been nearly wiped out by hunting, but there are still small populations in the Arctic tundra.
  • Reindeer: Like musk ox, reindeer live on the tundra, but they travel great distances throughout the year.
  • Narwhal: This mythical-looking creature has a single horn on its snout for defense and feeds on fish, squid, and shrimp.

The North Pole and the South Pole, while similar in some ways, differ in many others. The Antarctic is cold and unforgiving, home only to the hardiest of sea mammals, while the Arctic can support more herbivores and land-based wildlife. Despite the extreme conditions at the ends of the Earth, you can still find an impressive level of biodiversity waiting around every corner.

Photo credit Noah Holm / Unsplash 

Ähnliche Reisen

Atlantische Odyssee, ohne Antarktische Halbinsel
Bis zu $5950 Rabatt

Atlantische Odyssee, ohne Antarktische Halbinsel

Diese weitreichende Expeditionsreise führt über den gesamten Atlantik und zu einigen der entlegensten Inseln der Welt!

HDS31-24 Die Atlantik-Odyssee ist ein wahres Vergnügen für Vogelbeobachter, denn wir kreuzen die Zugrouten von Arten wie der Küstenseeschwalbe und der Langschwanzskua. Bei der Überquerung des Atlantiks und des Äquators besuchen wir einige der entlegensten Inseln...

m/v Hondius

MS Hondius

Reisezeit:

28 Mär - 20 Apr, 2024

Liegeplätze ab:

4250 USD

Von St. Helena nach Kap Verde
Bis zu $650 Rabatt

Von St. Helena nach Kap Verde

Erleben Sie die Frühjahrsmigration nach Norden

HDS32-24 Während der Tage auf See sind die Chancen, Walen zu begegnen, hoch. Erleben Sie den Frühlingszug nördlicher Vögel wie Küstenseeschwalben und Raubmöwen, die gemeinsam mit uns den Äquator ("die Linie") überqueren.

m/v Hondius

MS Hondius

Reisezeit:

20 Apr - 30 Apr, 2024

Liegeplätze ab:

2150 USD

Alpine Gipfel Spitzbergens – Ski & Sail

Skitouren zu unberührten, schneebedeckten Gipfeln

RVR01-24 Das Programm richtet sich an erfahrene Skibergsteiger, die sowohl im Auf- als auch im Abstieg in anspruchsvollem, schneebedeckten, alpinen Gelände benötigte Skitechniken sicher beherrschen. Ein typischer Tag beinhaltet Ski-Aufstiege auf Berggipfel mit...

s/v Rembrandt Van Rijn

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Reisezeit:

1 Mai - 8 Mai, 2024

Liegeplätze ab:

auf Anfrage

Alpine Gipfel Spitzbergens – Ski & Sail

Skitouren zu unberührten, schneebedeckten Gipfeln

RVR02-24 Das Programm richtet sich an erfahrene Skibergsteiger, die sowohl im Auf- als auch im Abstieg in anspruchsvollem, schneebedeckten, alpinen Gelände benötigte Skitechniken sicher beherrschen. Ein typischer Tag beinhaltet Ski-Aufstiege auf Berggipfel mit...

s/v Rembrandt Van Rijn

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Reisezeit:

8 Mai - 15 Mai, 2024

Liegeplätze ab:

auf Anfrage

Nordspitzbergen - Arktischer Frühling - Wandern & Skifahren & Segeln

Entdecken Sie die Küsten und Meere von einer erstaunlichen arktischen Insel

RVR03-24 Am Ende eines langen arktischen Winters beginnt der Frühling zu erwachen. Das Klima hält jedoch noch an der Kälte fest: schneebedeckte Berge, schneebedeckte Ufer, Temperaturen um -4 ° C. Es ist eine gute Zeit, die letzte Winterlandschaft zu erleben und...

s/v Rembrandt Van Rijn

SV Rembrandt van Rijn

Reisezeit:

15 Mai - 22 Mai, 2024

Liegeplätze ab:

auf Anfrage

Loading