Antarctica

Antarctica, the southernmost and coldest continent on Earth, is characterized by its vast ice sheets, some over a mile thick, and temperatures plummeting below -80 degrees Celsius. Despite these harsh conditions, it supports resilient wildlife such as Emperor and Adélie penguins, several seal species including Weddell and leopard seals, and whales like orcas that feed on krill, crucial to the local food chain. Terrestrial life is scarce, with only small invertebrates and sparse vegetation surviving in ice-free zones. The continent, which is roughly twice the size of Australia and primarily within the Antarctic Circle, also attracts migratory birds like petrels during the summer and is exclusively inhabited by scientists at research stations due to the Antarctic Treaty, which enforces peaceful research and conservation efforts, banning military and extractive activities to protect its fragile ecosystems and support scientific discovery.

Discover Animals that Live in Antarctica: